H2687 H2687
gravel, small stones (used figuratively for hardship)
Small stones or gravel, appearing only in figurative contexts expressing hardship or disappointment. Proverbs uses it metaphorically for the bitter consequences of lies—having one's mouth filled with gravel instead of the expected sweetness. Lamentations employs the image of teeth crushed with gravel stones to describe God's harsh treatment during Jerusalem's destruction. The term evokes discomfort, disappointment, and the painful reality beneath deceptive appearances. Gravel in the mouth represents what is gritty, indigestible, and painful rather than satisfying.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Gravel or small stones, used metaphorically for harsh consequences. Proverbs 20:17 warns that bread gained by deceit is sweet at first, but afterward 'his mouth will be filled with gravel.' Lamentations 3:16 complains that God 'has crushed my teeth with gravel,' depicting suffering as something gritty and painful to endure. Psalm 77:17 presents a textual problem where some manuscripts read 'your arrows' instead of 'gravel,' showing scribal confusion. The predominant usage emphasizes figurative hardship. 3×
AR["بِالْحَصَى", "حَصىً", "سِهَامُكَ"]·ben["চিল্লা-দিয়ে", "তোমার-বিদ্যুৎগুলি", "পাথরে"]·DE["[בחצץ]", "[חצץ]", "dein-Pfeile"]·EN["Your-arrows", "gravel", "on-gravel"]·FR["[בחצץ]", "gravier", "חצץ"]·heb["ב-חצץ", "חצץ", "חצציך"]·HI["कंकड़-से", "कंकड़ों-से", "खत्सात्सेखा"]·ID["anak-panah-Mu", "dengan-kerikil", "kerikil"]·IT["[בחצץ]", "[חצציך]", "gravel"]·jav["kanthi-watu-kerikil", "kerikil", "panah-Panjenengan"]·KO["당신-의-화살들-이", "자갈-로", "자갈로"]·PT["cascalho", "com-cascalho", "tuas-flechas"]·RU["гравием", "о-камни", "стрелы-Твои"]·ES["con-cascajo", "de-grava", "flechas-de-ti"]·SW["changarawe", "kwa-changarawe", "mishale-yako"]·TR["okların", "çakıl-taşıyla", "çakılla"]·urd["تیرے-تیر", "کنکریوں-سے"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† חָצָץ n.[m.] gravel (as divided, comminuted; Aramaic חֲצִיצָא, ܚܨܳܨܳܐ )—only abs. ח׳ Pr 20:17; La 3:16 [חֲצָצֶיךָ ψ 77:18 v. חֵץ].—יִמָּלֵּא־פִיהוּ ח׳ Pr 20:17 fig. of a liar; וַיַּגְרֵס בח׳ שִׁנָּ֑י La 3:16 and he hath crushed my teeth with gravel-stones, fig. of י׳’s dealings with sufferer.