H3781 H3781
An axe or hatchet; a tool with a blade for cutting or chopping wood
This noun appears only in Psalm 74:6, describing the destruction of the temple's carved woodwork. The term designates an axe or hatchet used for felling or hewing, possibly a smaller tool than the mattock mentioned alongside it. The psalm laments enemies attacking sanctuary woodwork 'with hatchet and hammers,' suggesting deliberate vandalism. The word likely derives from the root meaning 'to cut down,' making it a fitting term for a felling tool.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A hatchet or small axe used for cutting wood, here weaponized for destruction. Psalm 74's lament over the temple's desecration depicts enemies hacking at ornate carvings like woodsmen attacking a forest. Spanish 'hacha' and French 'hache' (both 'axe') identify the tool type. The pairing with 'hammers' suggests systematic demolition of artistic woodwork, turning construction tools into instruments of sacrilege—a violation intensified by attacking what was consecrated to God. 1×
AR["بِ-الفَأْسِ"]·ben["কুঠারে"]·DE["mit-hatchet"]·EN["with-hatchet"]·FR["dans-hache"]·heb["ב-כשיל"]·ID["dengan-kapak"]·IT["[בכשיל]"]·jav["mawi-kapak"]·KO["도끼-로"]·PT["com-machado"]·RU["топором"]·ES["con-hacha"]·SW["kwa-nyundo"]·TR["nacakla"]·urd["بِ-کلہاڑی"]
Related Senses
H2719 1. sword, weapon of war (410×)H4196 1. altar (place of sacrifice) (403×)H7393 1. chariot, chariotry (117×)H7198 1. bow (weapon) (72×)H7979 1. table (71×)H7782 1. ram's horn trumpet (69×)H4294 2. staff, rod, scepter (63×)H4043 1. shield, defensive weapon (60×)H0646 1. ephod (priestly garment) (49×)H8504 1. blue (violet-blue yarn/fabric) (49×)H2595 1. spear, lance (48×)H2671 1. arrow, projectile weapon (46×)H4818 1. chariot, war-chariot (44×)H3658 1. lyre, harp (stringed instrument) (42×)H1537 1. Gilgal (place name) (41×)H0713 1. purple (fabric/dye) (38×)H0905 3. poles, staves (37×)H7392 1. Qal participle: rider, charioteer (37×)H4501 1. cultic lampstand (menorah) (36×)H0212 1. wheel (35×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† כַּשִּׁיל n.[m.] axe (according to Vrss and context; NH id.; 𝔗 Je 46:22; prob. from felling; Aramaic loan-word according to Frä 74; but word not common in Aramaic)—בְּכ׳ וְכֵילַפּוֹת יַהֲלֹמוּן ψ 74:6.