דָּכָה (da.khah)
da.khah
to crush
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb dākâ means to crush or break into small pieces. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 51:17, where it describes the condition of a broken spirit. The word conveys more than physical destruction; it suggests being crushed down so thoroughly that one is humbled and contrite before God.
In this single usage, the term captures the inner reality of repentance. The psalmist does not speak of external defeat but of a heart softened by conviction. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God values humility over ritual sacrifice. The crushing here is not punitive but restorative, leading to a state of genuine contrition.
Translators often render this as "broken" or "contrite," reflecting the spiritual weight of the image. The act of crushing implies a complete breaking of pride, leaving only a humble heart that God will not despise. This rare occurrence highlights how deeply physical language can express spiritual truth in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dākâ describes a crushing that leads to humility rather than destruction. In Psalm 51, it paints the picture of a heart broken open by conviction. This is not about shame but about surrendering pride before God. When we feel crushed by our failures, we are actually being prepared for restoration.
God does not despise this broken state. Instead, He draws near to those who recognize their need for Him. The crushing removes the hardness of self-reliance, leaving a spirit that is soft and receptive. This process invites us to trust His grace even when we feel weakest.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he is crushed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִדְכֶּ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 10:10
The helpless are crushed. They collapse. They fall under his strength.
This verse shows the word applied to the helpless, highlighting how crushing affects the vulnerable and calls for divine justice.