Original Word: סָחַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: cachaph
Pronunciation: sah-khaf'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-khaf')
KJV: sweep (away)
NASB: become prostrate, driving
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to scrape off

sweep away

A primitive root; to scrape off -- sweep (away).

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
prostrate
NASB Translation
become prostrate (1), driving (1).

[סָחַף] verb prostrate (Late Hebrew סחף, Aramaic סְחַף (for ἐδαφίζω, Luke 19:42); Assyrian sa—âpu, throw down, overwhelm); —

Qal Perfect מָטָר סֹחֵף Proverbs 28:3 a prostrating rain (beating down grain), וְאֵין לָ֑חֶם and (so) there is no bread.

Niph`al Perfect3masculine singular נִסְחַף אַבִּירֶיךָ Jeremiah 46:15 why are thy mighty ones (or, why is thy bull, i.e. Apis, Hi Ew Gf) prostrated? but read perhaps נָס חָף אַבִּירְךָ לאֹ עָמַד (ᵐ5 Mich Gie Co) why hath Apis fled, thy bull doth not stand?

[סָחַר] verb go around, about, travel about in (Late Hebrew id., go about as merchant, pedlar, perhaps denominative from סוֺחֵר (Jastr); **ᵑ7 סְחַר, אֵסְחַר go about, סְחוֺר = Hebrew סָבִיב. Syriac go about as beggar, be beggar PS²⁵⁹³ (rate), especially Christian-Palestinian Aramaic see Schw^{Idioticon 61f.}; Assyrian sa—âru, turn, surround, Tel Amarna return Wkl^{TA Glossary}; ᵑ7 surround (often), and derivatives; Arabic is mock at, deride); —

Qal Perfect3plural סָֽחֲרוּ Jeremiah 14:18; Imperfect3masculine plural יִסְחֲרוּ Genesis 34:21; 2masculine plural תִּסְחָ֑רוּ Genesis 42:34; Imperative masculine plural suffix סְחָרוּהָ Genesis 34:10; Perfect סֹחֵר Genesis 23:16, סוֺחֵר Proverbs 31:14; construct סֹחֵר Isaiah 23:2; feminine singular suffix סֹחַרְתֵךְ Ezekiel 27:12,16,18 + סֹחֲרֹתַיִךְ Ezekiel 27:15 (see below); masculine plural סֹחֲרִים Genesis 37:28 2t.; construct סֹחֲרֵי 1 Kings 10:28 3t.; suffix סֹחֲרַיִךְ Isaiah 47:15, רָ֑יִךְ- Ezekiel 27:21, רֶיהַ- Isaiah 23:8; —

1 go about, to and fro (i.e. go about one's affairs, carry on one's business) in, with accusative אֶרֶץ Genesis 42:34 (E), Genesis 34:10,21 (P); with אֶלאֶֿרֶץ Jeremiah 14:18, but dubious, ᵐ5 Gf Hi Or Co^Hpt Rothst^Kau journey unto a land which they have not known.

2 Participle = substantive a trafficker, trader (who goes about with wares, etc.) Genesis 23:16 (P), Genesis 37:28 (E), Isaiah 23:2,8; Isaiah 47:15; 1 Kings 10:28 2Chronicles 1:16; Ezekiel 27:21 (twice in verse); Ezekiel 27:36; Ezekiel 38:13; + תָּרִים2Chronicles 9:14; feminine, of a city or country, Ezekiel 27:12,16,18; also in Ezekiel 27:15 read סֹחֲרֹתַיִךְ for ᵑ0 (ידך) סְחֹרַת Sm Co Berthol Toy.

Pilpel Perfect3masculine singular לִבִּי סְחַרְחַר Psalm 38:11 (Ges^{§ 55e}) my heart palpittes (+ עֲזָבַנִי כֹחִי).

Overview

The verb סָחַף conveys the idea of being swept or washed away by a force that cannot be resisted—whether by floodwaters, a violent storm, or the onrush of an invading army. In its two biblical occurrences the term serves as a vivid metaphor for the destructive consequences of oppression and misplaced confidence.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Proverbs 28:3 – “A poor man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.”
2. Jeremiah 46:15 – “Why have your valiant ones been swept away? They did not stand, because the LORD thrust them down.”

Imagery of Unstoppable Force

• Agricultural life in ancient Israel depended on gentle rains that nourished the crops. A sudden cloudburst, however, could scour the land, strip the soil, and obliterate the hoped-for harvest. Proverbs harnesses that picture: social injustice originating with someone who should have sympathized with the needy is as ruinous as a torrent that leaves the fields bare.
• Jeremiah transfers the same imagery to a battlefield. Egypt’s finest warriors—proudly compared to the sacred bull Apis—are “swept away” before the armies of Babylon, demonstrating how swiftly human strength collapses when the LORD decrees judgment.

Historical Context

Proverbs 28 was compiled during or after Solomon’s reign, addressing the perennial temptation for those with even meager authority to exploit rather than serve. Jeremiah 46 speaks to events around 605 BC, when Pharaoh Necho’s forces were routed at Carchemish. The “sweeping away” of Egypt’s champions confirmed the prophetic word that no alliance, idol, or military prowess could shield a nation from divine justice.

Theological Themes

Justice and Mercy: The verb underscores that God will not ignore oppression. When the poor are exploited, He acts decisively, sometimes by allowing the oppressor’s own actions to boomerang upon him.

Sovereignty in Judgment: Nations and armies may appear formidable, yet they can be “swept away” in a moment when God’s purposes require it (compare Isaiah 40:15).

Moral Accountability: Both the individual (Proverbs) and the collective (Jeremiah) are held accountable. Privation does not excuse cruelty, and size does not guarantee security.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Social ethics: Church leaders and believers with limited means can still fall into oppressive patterns. Proverbs 28:3 warns that hardship does not grant license for harshness; rather, shared experience should foster compassion (James 2:1-6).
• Preaching on national pride: Jeremiah 46:15 offers a sobering illustration when addressing modern confidence in military or economic strength. “The LORD thrust them down” reminds hearers that repentance, not armaments, secures stability.
• Pastoral counseling: Those feeling overwhelmed by adversities can be comforted that the same God who sweeps away the proud also promises to be “a refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9).

Christological and Eschatological Connections

At the cross the world’s might appeared to sweep Christ away, yet He rose, demonstrating that divine purpose overturns apparent defeat (Colossians 2:15). Final judgment will likewise “sweep away” all opposition (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10), while the righteous, rooted in Christ, remain secure (Matthew 7:24-27).

Illustrative Insights from the Ancient Near East

Cuneiform records describe floods of the Euphrates carrying off entire settlements; Egyptian texts portray invading forces as an inundation. Scripture repurposes these familiar cultural images to reveal Yahweh’s supreme authority over both nature and nations.

Summary

סָחַף paints a stark picture of irresistible removal. Whether exposing the hypocrisy of a poor oppressor or shattering the illusions of a mighty empire, the word testifies that God’s justice can arrive like a flood—sudden, sweeping, and sure. The wise therefore cultivate humility, uphold the weak, and entrust their security to the Lord who alone cannot be swept away.

נִסְחַ֣ף נסחף סֹ֝חֵ֗ף סחף nis·ḥap̄ nisChaf nisḥap̄ sō·ḥêp̄ soChef sōḥêp̄Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts