Original Word: כָּבַשׁ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kabash
Pronunciation: kah-VASH
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-bash')
Definition: To subdue, bring into bondage, subject, force, keep under, bring into subjection
Meaning: to tread down, negatively, to disregard, positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate

bring into bondage, force, keep under, subdue, bring into subjection

A primitive root; to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard; positively, to conquer, subjugate, violate -- bring into bondage, force, keep under, subdue, bring into subjection.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to subdue, bring into bondage
NASB Translation
assault (1), brought them into subjection (2), forced into bondage (1), forcing (1), subdue (1), subdued (5), subjugate (1), trample (1), tread our under foot (1), under foot (1).

[כָּבַשׁ] verb subdue, bring into bondage (Late Hebrew id., press, oppress; Aramaic כְּבַשׁ, tread down, beat or make a path, subdue; Arabic press, squeeze, knead (body or limb, as in the bath, message), also attack, assault) —

Qal Perfect3plural וְכָֽבְשׁוּ consecutive Zechariah 9:15; Imperfect יִכְבּוֺשׁ Micah 7:19; וַיִּכְבְּשׁוּם Jeremiah 34:11 Qr (Kt Hiph), etc.; Imperative plural suffix כִּבְשֻׁהָ Genesis 1:28; Infinitive כְּבוֺשׁ2Chronicles 28:10; Esther 7:8; Participle כֹּבְשִׁים Nehemiah 5:5; —

1 bring into bondage, followed by accusative + לַעֲבָדִים Jeremiah 34:11,16; 2Chronicles 28:10; Nehemiah 5:5.

2 (late) subdue, force, a woman Esther 7:8 (= earlier עִנָּה).

3 subdue, dominate, the earth Genesis 1:28 (P), Zechariah 9:15 (of conquest); tread down, followed by אַבְנֵיקֶֿלַע; figurative subdue, followed by עֲוֺנֹתֵינוּ Micah 7:19.

Niph`al Perfect3feminine singular נִכְבְּשָׁה Joshua 18:1 3t.; Participle feminine plural נִכְבָּשׁוֺת Nehemiah 5:5; — passive of Qal 1, subject בְּנוֺתֵינוּ Nehemiah 5:5; of Qal 3, subject הָאָרֶץ (of conquest) Numbers 32:22,29; Joshua 18:1 (all P), 1 Chronicles 22:18.

Pi`el Perfect כִּבֵּשׁ 2 Samuel 8:11, object גּוֺיִם (of conquest).

Hiph`il Imperfect bring into bondage, followed by accusative + לַעֲבָדִים Jeremiah 34:11 Kt (Qr Qal).

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G971 (bibaō): to tread, trample
• G2616 (katakurieuō): to exercise dominion over
• G2634 (katapateō): to trample down, tread underfoot
• G2901 (krateō): to hold fast, retain
• G2902 (kratos): strength, power
• G5293 (hupotassō): to subject, subordinate

These Greek terms reflect similar themes of control, subjugation, and dominion, paralleling the Hebrew concept of כָּבַשׁ in various New Testament contexts.

Usage: The verb כָּבַשׁ (kavash) is used in various contexts in the Hebrew Bible, often implying the act of subduing or bringing under control. It can carry both negative and positive connotations, depending on the context, such as disregarding or violating something, or positively, as in conquering or subjugating.

Context: • The term כָּבַשׁ (kavash) appears in several key passages throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, illustrating its range of meanings. In Genesis 1:28, God commands humanity to "subdue" the earth, indicating a positive sense of stewardship and control over creation. This usage underscores the human responsibility to manage and care for the world.
• In Numbers 32:22, the term is used in the context of military conquest, where the Israelites are instructed to subdue the land before settling in it. This reflects the term's association with victory and domination over enemies.
• The negative connotation of כָּבַשׁ is evident in Micah 7:19, where God is described as treading down iniquities, symbolizing the disregard and overcoming of sin.
• The verb also appears in contexts of violation or oppression, as seen in Esther 7:8, where it is used to describe the act of violating the queen, highlighting the term's potential for describing acts of violence or disrespect.

וְכִבְשֻׁ֑הָ וְכָֽבְשׁוּ֙ וְנִכְבְּשָׁ֥ה וְנִכְבְּשָׁ֨ה וַֽיִּכְבְּשׁ֔וּם וַתִּכְבְּשׁ֣וּ ויכבשום וכבשה וכבשו ונכבשה ותכבשו יִכְבֹּ֖שׁ יכבש כִּבֵּֽשׁ׃ כֹ֠בְשִׁים כבש׃ כבשים לִכְבֹּ֛שׁ לִכְבּ֧וֹשׁ לכבוש לכבש נִכְבְּשָׁ֖ה נִכְבָּשׁוֹת֙ נכבשה נכבשות Choeshim kib·bêš kibbêš kibBesh ḵō·ḇə·šîm ḵōḇəšîm lichBoosh lichBosh liḵ·bō·wōš liḵ·bōš liḵbōš liḵbōwōš nichbashOt nichbeShah niḵ·bā·šō·wṯ niḵ·bə·šāh niḵbāšōwṯ niḵbəšāh vaiyichbeShum vattichbeShu vechaveShu vechivShuha venichbeShah wat·tiḵ·bə·šū wattiḵbəšū way·yiḵ·bə·šūm wayyiḵbəšūm wə·ḵā·ḇə·šū wə·ḵiḇ·šu·hā wə·niḵ·bə·šāh wəḵāḇəšū wəḵiḇšuhā wəniḵbəšāh yichBosh yiḵ·bōš yiḵbōšInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts