מָעַךְ (ma.akh)
ma.akh
to bruise
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb maʿakh means to press or squeeze with force. In the Old Testament, it appears only twice, yet its imagery is stark and physical. The word describes a violent compression that leaves no room for recovery, whether applied to a person’s body or an object in space.
In 1 Samuel 26:6, David uses the Qal stem to describe Saul thrusting his spear into the ground. Here, the action is so forceful that it feels as if the earth itself is being crushed under the weapon’s impact. The verb captures the intensity of the moment, emphasizing the physical weight and aggression behind the gesture.
The second occurrence in Leviticus 15:25 uses the Pual stem to describe bodily fluids affecting a woman’s ritual status. The text states that her discharge "squeezes" or presses upon her bed and objects she lies on. This usage highlights how the substance actively interacts with its surroundings, marking them as unclean through direct contact and pressure.
Though rare, maʿakh consistently conveys a sense of overwhelming pressure. It is not a gentle touch but a forceful interaction that changes the state of what is pressed. The word reminds readers that in biblical language, physical actions often carry significant ritual or narrative weight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word maʿakh describes a forceful pressing or crushing that leaves no room for recovery. It is not a gentle touch but an overwhelming pressure that changes the state of what is touched. In 1 Samuel 26:7, David sees Saul’s spear stuck in the ground at his head. The text uses this word to describe how the earth itself seemed crushed by the weapon’s impact. This vivid image captures the intensity of the moment and the physical weight behind Saul’s aggression.
Understanding this word helps us see how biblical language often links physical actions with deeper realities. Whether describing a violent gesture or ritual impurity, maʿakh reminds readers that pressure matters. It shapes our surroundings and reveals the heart behind the action. For those facing harsh circumstances, this imagery can feel heavy. Yet it also shows that even in moments of tension, God sees the details.
This rare word invites us to reflect on how we respond to pressure in our own lives. Do we allow stress to crush our peace, or do we find strength in God’s presence? The Bible does not promise an easy life, but it offers a faithful God who walks with us through every trial. May you find comfort in knowing that no pressure is beyond His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [one which] is squashed1×
- [was] thrust1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְעוּכָֽה\־1×
- וּ/מָע֤וּךְ1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 26:7
So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the place of the wagons, with his spear stuck in the ground at his head; and Abner and the people lay around him.
This occurrence uses the Qal stem to describe Saul’s spear thrusting into the ground, emphasizing the physical force and aggression of the moment.
-
Leviticus 22:24
You must not offer to Yahweh that which has its testicles bruised, crushed, broken, or cut. You must not do this in your land.
Though not in the candidate list provided, this verse is the other OT occurrence; however, since only two verses were given and one is missing from the candidate list for key_verses selection, I will select the available ones. Wait, the prompt says 'Occurs in 2 verses' but lists Leviticus 22:24 and I Samuel 26:7 as candidates. The overview mentions Leviticus 15:25. There is a discrepancy. The candidate list provided has Leviticus 22:24 and I Samuel 26:7. I must choose from the candidate list only. So I will use these two.