הֲפֵכָה (ha.phe.khah)
ha.phe.khah
overthrow
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun hapecah denotes a violent overturning or destruction, specifically describing the sudden ruin of cities. In Scripture, it appears only once, in Genesis 19:29, where it records how God remembered Abraham by destroying the cities of the plain.
This single occurrence anchors the word’s meaning in a specific historical event rather than a general concept. The term captures the physical act of toppling structures and reversing their order, emphasizing the completeness of the judgment inflicted upon Sodom and Gomorrah. It is not merely about fire or brimstone, but the structural collapse of human civilization.
Translators typically render hapecah as "overthrow" to preserve this sense of physical inversion. The word serves as a stark marker of divine intervention, highlighting how quickly established communities can be dismantled when they stand in opposition to God’s moral order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hapecah describes a sudden, violent overturning. It appears only once in Scripture, in Genesis 19:29. This verse records God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. The term emphasizes total structural collapse, not just fire. It shows how quickly human systems can fall when they oppose divine moral order.
Yet the same verse highlights God’s faithfulness. He remembered Abraham and rescued Lot from the middle of the overthrow. This contrast reveals two truths: God judges sin with finality, but He also delivers those who trust in Him. The destruction was complete, yet grace provided an escape. We see here that God’s justice does not erase His mercy.
This word reminds us that no earthly power is permanent. Cities rise and fall. But God remains faithful to His promises. When we face uncertainty or fear, we can look to this event. It shows that God sees the righteous and acts with both justice and care. His memory of Abraham ensures Lot’s safety, even in chaos.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ overthrow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/הֲפֵכָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 19:29
When God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.
This occurrence anchors the word's meaning by linking divine judgment on cities with God's faithful rescue of Lot through His remembrance of Abraham.