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לֶקַח

𐤋𐤒𐤇

leqach

H3948 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

That which is received or taken, particularly in the sense of instruction, teaching, or insight. It encompasses a wide range of wisdom, including both true, valuable instruction and, in some contexts, persuasive or cunning speech. It typically denotes wisdom acquired through listening or learning but in some texts may have a negative connotation of seductive or manipulative persuasion.

Semantic Range

teaching, instruction, doctrine, insight, learning, persuasion, clever speech, enticement

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root לָקַח (laqach), meaning 'to take, receive, grasp.' לֶקַח is a noun formation denoting the thing which is taken or received, shifting in usage to denote what one receives intellectually—i.e., instruction or teaching.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, לֶקַח most often refers to the content of teaching or instruction that is imparted and received, especially in wisdom and didactic literature (primarily Proverbs, e.g., Prov 1:5; 4:2; 7:21). It is distinct from other Hebrew terms for instruction such as תּוֹרָה (torah, law/instruction) or מוּסָר (musar, discipline), as לֶקַח emphasizes the aspect of being received rather than prescribed or enforced. The term may refer both to moral or practical instruction and, in rare cases, to seductive speech or persuasive talk that may lead the hearer astray (e.g., Proverbs 7:21). In later interpretation, the word is often associated with the idea of teaching or doctrine, but it does not necessarily carry the institutional or legal implications of torah. English translations frequently render לֶקַח as 'doctrine,' 'teaching,' or 'learning,' but some contexts require more nuanced translation, such as 'persuasion' or even 'enticement,' reflecting the underlying act of imparting and receiving knowledge or influence.

Translation Consistency

primary "teaching" 2 occurrences

leqach most commonly denotes what is received from another — instruction, doctrine, or learned insight. 'Teaching' is natural English, covers both formal instruction and learned insight, and can encompass persuasive or doctrinal senses without sounding overly technical. It therefore best fits the typical range and will read consistently across contexts.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):
"teach" (4x) "instruction" (2x) "persuasive speech" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from לָקַח; properly, something received, i.e. (mentally) instruction (whether on the part of the teacher or hearer); also (in an active and sinister sense) inveiglement; doctrine, learning, fair speech.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

לקח (Liqechi) — to take, to grasp, to seize, to acquire

Root לקח to take, to receive, to grasp
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3947 לָקַח in your taking
H3949 לִקְחִי and Taken-One
H4455 מַלְקוֹחַ the seized spoil
H4457 מֶלְקָח with grasping-tongs
H4727 מִקָּח and acquisition-of

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H3948-01 לֶֽקַח leqach HNcmsa learning Take! Teach! 6
H3948-03 לִקְחִ֔/י liqechi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my doctrine my received instruction my teaching 2
H3948-02 לִקְחָ֑/הּ liqechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs fair speech her received-instruction her persuasive speech 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H3948-03 Deuteronomy 32:2 לִקְחִ֔/י liqechi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my teaching my received instruction my teaching
H3948-01 Isaiah 29:24 לֶֽקַח leqach HNcmsa instruction Take! instruction
H3948-01 Proverbs 1:5 לֶ֑קַח leqach HNcmsa learning Take! Teach!
H3948-01 Proverbs 4:2 לֶ֣קַח leqach HNcmsa teaching Take! instruction
H3948-02 Proverbs 7:21 לִקְחָ֑/הּ liqechah HNcmsc/Sp3fs fair speech her received-instruction her persuasive speech
H3948-01 Proverbs 9:9 לֶֽקַח leqach HNcmsa learning Take! Teach!
H3948-01 Proverbs 16:21 לֶֽקַח leqach HNcmsa learning Take! Teach!
H3948-01 Proverbs 16:23 לֶֽקַח leqach HNcmsa learning Take! Teach!
H3948-03 Job 11:4 לִקְחִ֑/י liqechi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my doctrine my received instruction my teaching
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