H5420 H5420
to break down, tear down; to destroy or make impassable, especially a path or structure
This verb appears in Job 30:13, where Job describes how outcasts and mockers 'break down my path' as part of their assault against him. The verb suggests violent destruction making something impassable—not gentle damage but aggressive demolition. The metaphor extends from physical path destruction to the broader destruction of Job's way forward in life. These enemies systematically remove any route to restoration or escape. The verb may be equivalent to the more common נָתַץ (to break down), sharing the violent connotations of demolition.
Senses
1. sense 1 — To break down, tear up, or destroy, making something impassable or unusable. Job 30:13 uses this verb metaphorically: 'they break down my path,' describing how Job's enemies systematically destroy his way forward. Spanish 'destruyeron' (they destroyed) captures the violent action. The path imagery suggests not just obstruction but active demolition—removing any possibility of progress or escape, completing Job's isolation and helplessness. 1×
AR["هَدَموا"]·ben["ভেঙেছে"]·DE["[נתסו]"]·EN["they-break-up"]·FR["נתסו"]·heb["נתסו"]·HI["तोड़ते-हैं"]·ID["Mereka menghancurkan"]·IT["they-break-up"]·jav["Piyambak-ipun-mbubrah"]·KO["그들이-파괴한다"]·PT["Destroem"]·RU["разрушили"]·ES["Destruyeron"]·SW["wanabomoa"]·TR["Bozdular"]·urd["میرا راستہ"]
Related Senses
G0846 1. third-person pronoun reference (5552×)H???? 1. (4670×)H6213a 1. do, perform, act (2383×)G4160 1. do, act, perform (473×)H5221 1. Hifil: to strike in battle, smite enemies (362×)H0899b 1. garment, article of clothing (216×)H6213a 2. make, construct, fabricate (148×)H3772 1. cut a covenant / make a pact (97×)H5060 1. touch physically (Qal) (96×)H3615 1. complete a task (Piel) (85×)H3772 2. cut off / destroy (Hifil causative) (81×)H3920 1. capture, seize (Qal) (76×)H???? 12. (76×)H3772 3. be cut off / be eliminated (Niphal) (74×)H6213a 3. be done, be made (Niphal) (73×)G4160 2. make, construct, create (62×)H3847 1. Qal: put on, wear (60×)H8210 1. pour out (liquid/libation) (59×)G2440 1. garment or clothing (general) (54×)H4191 4. kill / put to death (Hifil causative) (50×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [נָתַס] vb. tear or break down (= נָתַץ);— Qal Pf. 3 pl. נָֽתְסוּ נְתִיבָתִי Jb 30:13 they have broken down my path, made it impassable (fig.).