da.qaq denotes reducing something to fine pieces or dust, whether objects, materials, or opponents in figurative scenes.

The verb most often describes the physical destruction of cultic objects by reducing them to pieces, powder, or dust. It also occurs for making incense or bread fine, and in images of forceful subjugation where enemies, mountains, hills, or peoples are treated as what is pulverized.

1. Destroying objects into fragments or dust · dominant

   In 2 Kings 23:6 the Hiphil sequential imperfect occurs after the Asherah is burned and before its dust is thrown on graves; the APB renders the clause "crushed it to dust." In Deuteronomy 9:21 and Exodus 32:20, Qal perfect forms occur in the account of the calf being burned and reduced to powder or dust. The same destructive action is shown with an image, idols, cast images, and an altar or high place in the cited Chronicles and Kings passages.

   2 Kings 23:6Deuteronomy 9:21Exodus 32:202 Chronicles 34:42 Chronicles 15:162 Kings 23:15
2. Making a substance fine by grinding · common

   In Exodus 30:36, the Hiphil infinitive absolute appears in the instruction to make some of the mixture fine before placing it in the tent of meeting; the APB renders "beat some of it fine." In Isaiah 28:28, two Hophal imperfect tokens occur in the comparison involving bread, a cart wheel, and horses; the APB renders bread as "ground" and speaks of it being crushed.

   Exodus 30:36Isaiah 28:28
3. Forcefully subduing enemies or obstacles · occasional

   In 2 Samuel 22:43, the first-person Hiphil imperfect stands in a sequence of beating opponents fine like earth's dust and stamping them down like street mire. In Isaiah 41:15 the second-person Qal imperfect addresses one who will tread mountains and make hills like chaff, while Micah 4:13 uses a Hiphil sequential perfect in the command to thresh and "crush many peoples" in the APB.

   2 Samuel 22:43Isaiah 41:15Micah 4:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB uses wording such as "crushed," "crushed it to dust," "beat some of it fine," and "ground." These are renderings of whole clauses in a whole-verse translation, but they consistently present reduction by force or grinding.