נָפַץ (na.phats)
na.phats
to shatter; to disperse
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb naphats describes the violent act of shattering or breaking something into fragments. It carries a sense of forceful destruction, often used for smashing objects like jars or stones until they are reduced to dust. In the Qal stem, it simply means to break or be scattered, while the Piel form intensifies this to dash to pieces with great power.
This word appears sixteen times in the Old Testament, featuring prominently in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Isaiah as well as in the Psalms. It is frequently employed to depict God’s judgment against nations or idols, portraying their collapse as sudden and complete. The imagery suggests that what was once solid and intact is now irretrievably broken, much like chalkstones pulverized by a heavy blow.
The lexical sources highlight a clear distinction between the basic action of breaking in the Qal stem and the more intense, deliberate destruction implied by the Piel. This intensity underscores the seriousness of divine judgment in these texts. The word does not imply a slow decay but rather an immediate and decisive shattering that leaves no room for restoration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naphats describes a forceful shattering, often used to depict the sudden collapse of idols or the defeat of hostile armies. In the Old Testament, this imagery serves as a powerful reminder that human strength and political power are fragile compared to God’s authority. When nations rise in pride or turn to false gods, Scripture portrays their downfall not as a slow decline but as an immediate breaking into pieces.
For believers, this concept offers comfort rather than fear. It assures us that no obstacle is too solid for God to overcome and no injustice is beyond His reach. The destruction described in passages like Jeremiah 51 highlights God’s role as the ultimate judge who dismantles systems of oppression. This divine action clears the way for justice and restores order where chaos once reigned.
While the imagery can seem harsh, it ultimately points to God’s sovereignty over history. It reminds us that our trust should rest in the Creator who holds all power, not in the temporary structures of this world. His ability to shatter what opposes His will is a testament to His commitment to righteousness and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ I smash9×
- you will smash/ them1×
- to smash1×
- they will smash1×
- they scatter1×
- smashed1×
- pulverized1×
- it was scattered1×
- and/ they smashed1×
- and/ he will smash1×
- and/ [the] scattered [women] of1×
- and/ I will smash/ them1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/נִפַּצְתִּ֣י4×
- וְ/נִפַּצְתִּ֤י3×
- וְ/נִפַּצְתִּ֥י2×
- תְּנַפְּצֵֽ/ם\׃1×
- נָפַ֨ץ1×
- נָפְצ֖וּ1×
- נָפ֗וּץ1×
- נָֽפְצָ֥ה1×
- נַפֵּ֥ץ1×
- מְנֻפָּצ֔וֹת1×
- יְנַפֵּֽצוּ\׃1×
- וּ/נְפֻצ֤וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 2:9
You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
This verse uses the word to describe how God will rule over rebellious nations with an iron rod, emphasizing His absolute authority.
-
Jeremiah 51:20
“You are my battle ax and weapons of war. With you I will break the nations into pieces. With you I will destroy kingdoms.
Here God identifies Himself as a battle ax used to break nations into pieces, illustrating His power to dismantle empires that oppose His people.
-
Isaiah 27:9
Therefore by this the iniquity of Jacob will be forgiven, and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: that he makes all the stones of the altar as chalk stones that are beaten in pieces, so that the Asherah poles and the incense altars shall rise no more.
The text describes how God makes altar stones like chalk dust beaten in pieces, symbolizing the complete removal of idolatry and sin.