2017. hophek
Lexical Summary
hophek: Overturning, overthrow, transformation

Original Word: הֹפֶךְ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: hophek
Pronunciation: ho-FEK
Phonetic Spelling: (ho'-fek)
KJV: turning of things upside down
Word Origin: [from H2015 (הָפַך - turned)]

1. an upset, i.e. (abstract) perversity

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
perversity, turning of things upside down

From haphak; an upset, i.e. (abstract) perversity -- turning of things upside down.

see HEBREW haphak

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
the same as hephek, q.v.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Imagery

The term conveys a vigorous “turning upside down” or “overthrow,” evoking the image of something suddenly inverted or reversed. In prophetic language it pictures the shock of divine intervention that exposes human presumption and sets God’s order back in place.

Context in Isaiah 29:16

“You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay. Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me’? Can the pot say to the potter, ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isaiah 29:16).

Here the prophet confronts Judah’s leadership for perverting truth and trusting their own schemes (Isaiah 29:15). The single use of the word underscores the outrageous nature of their inversion: they have attempted to swap roles with their Maker. The image of potter and clay recalls earlier prophetic rebukes (Isaiah 45:9; Jeremiah 18:6) and anticipates Paul’s application to the Gospel era (Romans 9:20–21).

Historical Background

Isaiah ministered during political turbulence (eighth century B.C.). Judah’s rulers sought security in secret alliances while ignoring covenant faithfulness. Their “turning upside down” was not merely political maneuvering but spiritual rebellion—a rejection of the Creator’s wisdom. The prophetic declaration of inversion warns that God will respond with His own decisive reversal: humbling the proud and vindicating His holiness (Isaiah 29:17–24).

Theological Themes

1. Divine sovereignty over creation: God alone is the Potter; any human claim to self-determination apart from Him is absurd.
2. Moral reversal: When humanity inverts God’s order, the Lord overturns that inversion, restoring righteousness.
3. Judgment as redemptive: The impending “overturning” of Judah’s false security is designed to lead the remnant to awe (Isaiah 29:23) and understanding (Isaiah 29:24).

Related Biblical Motifs and Scriptures

• Overthrow of prideful cities: Genesis 19:25; Amos 4:11.
• Potter and clay: Isaiah 45:9; Jeremiah 18:1–10; Romans 9:20–21.
• Reversal in salvation history: 1 Samuel 2:7–8; Luke 1:52–53; 1 Corinthians 1:27–29.
• Eschatological upheaval: Isaiah 24:1; Revelation 6:14; Revelation 18:21.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Preaching: The text calls congregations to examine any area where human philosophy or religious form has supplanted God’s Word.
• Discipleship: Highlights the necessity of humility before the Creator, fostering a posture of teachability and repentance.
• Apologetics: Provides a biblical critique of modern self-creation narratives, affirming that identity and purpose are received, not invented.
• Pastoral care: Offers comfort that God can “overturn” oppressive structures and personal bondages, turning lives right-side up in Christ.

Christological Perspective

At the cross the ultimate “overturning” occurs: human sin and satanic schemes are exposed, and the rejected Stone becomes the cornerstone (Acts 4:10–11). Jesus Christ embodies the divine reversal foretold by Isaiah, bringing the wise to foolishness and the weak to strength (1 Corinthians 1:18–25). Believers participate in this ongoing transformation, being “renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23).

Eschatological Outlook

Scripture culminates with the final overthrow of all rebellion (Revelation 20:11–15) and the creation of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Every human attempt to invert God’s order will be decisively reversed, and the Potter’s design will stand forever.

Summary

The lone appearance of הֹפֶךְ in Isaiah 29:16 encapsulates a sweeping biblical principle: when humanity turns God’s order upside down, the sovereign Lord will Himself overturn the inversion. Recognizing this truth leads to humility, confidence in divine justice, and hope in the ultimate restoration accomplished in Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
הַ֨פְכְּכֶ֔ם הפככם hafkeChem hap̄·kə·ḵem hap̄kəḵem
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Isaiah 29:16
HEB: הַ֨פְכְּכֶ֔ם אִם־ כְּחֹ֥מֶר
KJV: Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed
INT: down lo the clay

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 2017
1 Occurrence


hap̄·kə·ḵem — 1 Occ.

2016
Top of Page
Top of Page