← H388 H390 →

אַךְ

𐤀𐤊

ʼak

H389 particle

SILEX Entry

Definition

A particle denoting affirmation, certainty, or limitation, used to assert the truth of a statement ('surely, indeed, truly'), express emphasis or exclusivity ('only, alone'), or introduce a restriction or contrast ('nevertheless, however'). Its exact sense depends on the context, ranging from marking what is certain or real to delimiting or qualifying a prior statement.

Semantic Range

certainly, surely, indeed, truly, only, but, nevertheless, however, at least, verily, nonetheless, in any case

Root / Etymology

Root uncertain; possibly connected to אָכֵן ('ākēn, 'surely, certainly') but the wider consensus is that the etymology is unclear. Some suggest it is part of a broader Northwest Semitic family of particles expressing affirmation and contrast.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אַךְ appears frequently in biblical Hebrew to highlight what is real or actual in distinction to prior expectation or appearance. In declarative sentences, it often means 'certainly' or 'surely,' emphasizing the truthfulness or reliability of the statement (Gen 20:12, 'indeed, she is my sister'). In other contexts, particularly before a negative or restrictive clause, it carries an adverbial force ('only,' 'but,' 'however'), narrowing scope or introducing a reservation (Exod 31:13, 'however, you must keep my sabbaths'). Occasionally, it introduces an unexpected turn or limitation (Ps 39:6, 'Surely every person goes about as a shadow'). Its nuanced usage distinguishes it from cognate particles such as רַק (raq, 'only, solely'), which is more strictly restrictive. English translations vary greatly—rendering it as 'surely,' 'only,' 'but,' etc.—depending on context. In poetic and wisdom literature, אַךְ frequently introduces thematic or existential reflections. The word remains a key marker for subtle emphasis or restriction in biblical narrative, legal, and poetic texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

akin to אָכֵן; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only; also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

אכן (ʼak) — to affirm, to be sure, to assert reality, to limit

Root אכן to affirm, to be sure, to assert reality, to limit

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H389-01 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely surely 158
H389-02 וְ/אַ֨ךְ veakhe HC/D Nevertheless and surely and surely 3

Occurrences in Scripture

161 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H389-01 Genesis 7:23 אַךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Genesis 9:4 אַךְ akhe HTa Only surely only
H389-02 Genesis 9:5 וְ/אַ֨ךְ veakhe HC/D and surely and surely and surely
H389-01 Genesis 18:32 אַךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Genesis 20:12 אַ֖ךְ akhe HTa but surely but
H389-01 Genesis 23:13 אַ֛ךְ akhe HTa but surely surely
H389-01 Genesis 26:9 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa Behold surely surely
H389-01 Genesis 27:13 אַ֛ךְ akhe HTa only surely surely
H389-01 Genesis 27:30 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa scarcely surely scarcely
H389-01 Genesis 29:14 אַ֛ךְ akhe HTa surely surely surely
H389-01 Genesis 34:15 אַךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Genesis 34:22 אַךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Genesis 34:23 אַ֚ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Genesis 44:28 אַ֖ךְ akhe HTa surely surely surely
H389-01 Exodus 10:17 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Exodus 12:15 אַ֚ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Exodus 12:16 אַ֚ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Exodus 21:21 אַ֥ךְ akhe HTa notwithstanding surely however
H389-01 Exodus 31:13 אַ֥ךְ akhe HTa surely surely surely
H389-01 Leviticus 11:4 אַ֤ךְ akhe HTa Nevertheless surely nevertheless
H389-01 Leviticus 11:21 אַ֤ךְ akhe HTa Yet surely however
H389-01 Leviticus 11:36 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa Nevertheless surely nevertheless
H389-01 Leviticus 21:23 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely however
H389-01 Leviticus 23:27 אַ֡ךְ akhe HTa But surely surely
H389-01 Leviticus 23:39 אַ֡ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Leviticus 27:26 אַךְ akhe HTa However surely however
H389-01 Leviticus 27:28 אַךְ akhe HTa Nevertheless surely surely
H389-01 Numbers 1:49 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Numbers 12:2 אַךְ akhe HTa indeed surely surely
H389-01 Numbers 14:9 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely surely
H389-01 Numbers 18:3 אַךְ֩ akhe HTa but surely however
H389-01 Numbers 18:15 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa but surely surely
H389-01 Numbers 18:17 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa But surely surely
H389-02 Numbers 22:20 וְ/אַ֗ךְ veakhe HC/D but only and surely but surely
H389-01 Numbers 26:55 אַךְ akhe HTa Nevertheless surely surely
H389-01 Numbers 31:22 אַ֥ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Numbers 31:23 אַ֕ךְ akhe HTa however surely however
H389-01 Numbers 36:6 אַ֗ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Deuteronomy 12:22 אַ֗ךְ akhe HTa Surely surely surely
H389-01 Deuteronomy 14:7 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa Nevertheless surely surely
H389-01 Deuteronomy 16:15 אַ֥ךְ akhe HTa only surely surely
H389-01 Deuteronomy 18:20 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa But surely surely
H389-01 Deuteronomy 28:29 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely surely
H389-01 Joshua 3:4 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-02 Joshua 22:19 וְ/אַ֨ךְ veakhe HC/D Nevertheless and surely and nevertheless
H389-01 Judges 3:24 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa surely surely surely
H389-01 Judges 6:39 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa but surely surely
H389-01 Judges 7:19 אַ֛ךְ akhe HTa just surely surely
H389-01 Judges 10:15 אַ֛ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
H389-01 Judges 16:28 אַ֣ךְ akhe HTa only surely only
← H388 Hebrew Lexicon H390 →