What does לָחַץ (lāḥaṣ) mean in the Bible?
לָחַץ (lāḥaṣ): Physical pressure becomes the metaphor for oppression—affliction as external force squeezing victims powerless.
Hebrew · H3905
לָחַץ
Properly, to press , i.e. (figuratively) to distress
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לָחַץH3905
Pronunciationlāḥaṣ
What does לָחַץ (lāḥaṣ) mean in the Bible?
לָחַץ (lāḥaṣ): Physical pressure becomes the metaphor for oppression—affliction as external force squeezing victims powerless.
Full entry for לָחַץ (H3905) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H3905?
The BSB source-word alignment has 19 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include oppress (2), oppressed (2), their oppressors (2), and pressed herself (1), and they will oppress (1).
Where does לָחַץ (lāḥaṣ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 3:9. Its strongest book concentrations include Judges (5), 2 Kings (3), Exodus (3), Numbers (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itoppress2×Exodus 22:21, Exodus 23:9
oppressed2×Judges 4:3, 2 Kings 13:22
their oppressors2×Isaiah 19:20, Jeremiah 30:20
and pressed herself1×Numbers 22:25
and they will oppress1×Amos 6:14
are oppressing them1×Exodus 3:9
crushing1×Numbers 22:25
forced1×Judges 1:34
had inflicted1×2 Kings 13:4
oppressed them1×Psalms 106:42
oppressed you1×Judges 10:12
that oppressed you1×1 Samuel 10:18
they press1×Psalms 56:1
to keep him out1×2 Kings 6:32
who oppressed them1×Judges 2:18
your oppressors1×Judges 6:9
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 3:9לֹחֲצִ֥יםtoare oppressing themVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralExodus 22:21תִלְחָצֶ֑נּוּtooppressVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singularExodus 23:9תִלְחָ֑ץtooppressVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularNumbers 22:25וַתִּלָּחֵץ֙toand pressed herselfConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularNumbers 22:25וַתִּלְחַ֛ץtocrushingConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularJudges 1:34וַיִּלְחֲצ֧וּtoforcedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralJudges 2:18לֹחֲצֵיהֶ֖םtowho oppressed themVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine pluralJudges 4:3לָחַ֞ץtooppressedVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularJudges 6:9לֹחֲצֵיכֶ֑םtoyour oppressorsVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine pluralJudges 10:12לָחֲצ֖וּtooppressed youVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 3:9
Aligned rows19
Books represented9
Exodus3Numbers2Judges51 Samuel12 Kings3Psalms2Isaiah1Jeremiah1Amos1
Source forms
הַלֹּחֲצִ֖ים1xhal·lō·ḥă·ṣîm1 Samuel 10:18
וַיִּלְחֲצ֧וּ1xway·yil·ḥă·ṣūJudges 1:34
וַיִּלְחָצ֥וּם1xway·yil·ḥā·ṣūmPsalms 106:42
וְלָחֲצ֥וּ1xwə·lā·ḥă·ṣūAmos 6:14
וּלְחַצְתֶּ֤ם1xū·lə·ḥaṣ·tem2 Kings 6:32
וַתִּלְחַ֛ץ1xwat·til·ḥaṣNumbers 22:25
וַתִּלָּחֵץ֙1xwat·til·lā·ḥêṣNumbers 22:25
יִלְחָצֵֽנִי׃1xyil·ḥā·ṣê·nîPsalms 56:1
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular3xJudges 4:3, 2 Kings 13:4, 2 Kings 13:22
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural2xExodus 3:9, Isaiah 19:20
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural1x1 Samuel 10:18
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular1xNumbers 22:25
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural1x2 Kings 6:32
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural1xAmos 6:14
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular1xNumbers 22:25
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xJudges 1:34
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Physical pressure becomes the metaphor for oppression—affliction as external force squeezing victims powerless.
Source Gloss
properly, to press , i.e. (figuratively) to distress
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Physical pressure becomes the metaphor for oppression—affliction as external force squeezing victims powerless.
properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to distress BDB: squeeze Usage: afflict, crush, force, hold fast, oppress(-or), thrust self.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms7
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense7×
Perfect2Kgs 13:4 · 2Kgs 13:22 · Judg 4:3 · Judg 10:124×
Participle activeExod 3:9 · Isa 19:202×
ImperfectExod 23:91×
Word Origins
לָחַץ is a primitive root - no further derivation.