הָדַךְ (ha.dakh)
ha.dakh
to tread down
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb hadakh means to trample or crush something underfoot. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 40:12. In this context, God challenges Job to humble those who are proud by crushing them where they stand.
This single occurrence gives the word a sharp, decisive force. It describes not just walking on something, but exerting power over it until it is subdued. The imagery is physical and heavy, emphasizing the complete dominance of the one doing the treading.
Because it is so rare, hadakh does not have a wide range of meanings in Scripture. Its impact comes from its intensity. When used here, it underscores God’s absolute authority over human pride and power.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hadakh describes a heavy, decisive action of treading down or crushing what lies beneath. In Job 40:12, God uses this vivid image to remind Job that true power belongs to the Creator alone. It is not a gentle step but a firm assertion of authority over pride and wickedness.
For your faith, this brings comfort rather than fear. It assures you that no amount of arrogance or injustice can stand against God’s ultimate rule. When life feels chaotic or when proud forces seem dominant, you can rest in the knowledge that God holds the final authority to humble what resists Him.
This promise invites you to trust His timing and justice. You do not need to fight for vindication yourself. Instead, you can find peace in the certainty that God sees all things and will act with perfect fairness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ tread down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/הֲדֹ֖ךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 40:12
Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place.
This verse uses hadakh to depict God's decisive power to crush the wicked where they stand, emphasizing His absolute authority over human pride.