Bible Encyclopedias
Dash

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

The idea of "to throw violently" or "to strike" with purpose of causing destruction is usually connected with the word "to dash." There is perhaps but one exception to this: Psalm 91:12 and the quotations of this passage in the New Testament ( Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:11 , προσκόπτω , proskóptō ), have the meaning "to strike against accidentally" and not intentionally. Nahum 2:1 , "he that dasheth in pieces" is doubtful. "He that scatters" would be in better harmony with the Hebrew מפיץ , mē̄phı̄c , and the following description of destruction. In all other cases "to dash" is connected with the idea of destruction, especially the infliction of punishment which is usually expressed by רטשׁ , rāṭash , "to dash to the ground" (2 Kings 8:12; Isaiah 13:16 , et al., "to dash in pieces," the King James Version simply "to dash"), but also by נפץ , nāphac , "to break to pieces" (Psalm 2:9; Psalm 137:9 , et al.). See also PUNISHMENTS .