This late Hebrew verb means to incur danger or be endangered. Ecclesiastes uses it to observe that 'he who cleaves wood is endangered by it'—a proverbial statement about occupational hazards. The term appears only in post-exilic literature and reflects Aramaic influence, showing how Hebrew absorbed vocabulary from its linguistic environment during the exile. The rabbinical literature later develops rich usage around the noun 'danger' (sakkanah) derived from this root. Qoheleth's point is that even ordinary work carries risk; life's uncertainties extend to the most routine activities.