כֵּילַפּוֹת (ke.laph)
ke.laph
axe
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew word keilaphot refers specifically to large axes or heavy hatchets. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Psalm 74:6, where it describes the instruments used to smash the carved wooden panels of a sanctuary. The term is likely a loanword from Akkadian kalappatu, reflecting the influence of Near Eastern military and construction technology on Israelite vocabulary.
In its single occurrence, the word stands in parallel with qardummot, another term for axes or hatchets. This pairing emphasizes the destructive power wielded against sacred spaces. The psalmist uses this concrete image to lament the desecration of God's dwelling place, highlighting how foreign forces employed these heavy tools not just for war, but for the deliberate dismantling of religious structures.
Translators typically render keilaphot as "axes" or "large axes." The specificity of the term suggests a weapon or tool of significant weight and impact, suitable for breaking down sturdy wooden beams or decorative elements. Its rarity in Scripture underscores the particularity of this historical moment, marking it as a unique description of sacrilege rather than a general term for cutting tools.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word keilaphot describes heavy axes used to tear down sacred structures. In Psalm 74, this image captures the pain of seeing God's sanctuary destroyed. It reminds us that even when physical places of worship are lost, the presence of God remains beyond human reach.
This term highlights the reality of suffering and loss in our lives. We may face seasons where our stability feels shattered by forces beyond our control. Yet, the psalmist turns to God in this brokenness, trusting that He sees the destruction and remembers His covenant.
Your faith is not built on unshakable stone or wood, but on a relationship with the Creator who endures all change. When your world feels unstable, remember that God’s promises are stronger than any axe. He preserves what truly matters for eternity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ crowbars1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ֝/כֵֽילַפֹּ֗ת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 74:6
Now they break all its carved work down with hatchet and hammers.
This verse uses the term to describe the specific tools employed by enemies to dismantle the carved wooden elements of the sanctuary, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the desecration.