אָכַף
𐤀𐤊𐤐
ʼâkaph
H404 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To curve, bend, or be crooked, often with the nuance of being forced or pressed into a bowed or curved posture, as by a burden; occasionally, to urge or press strongly, as in compulsion or intense longing. In some contexts, the word may indicate a sense of compulsion or craving, but the primary sense relates to a physical or figurative bowing under force or pressure.
Semantic Range
to bend under a burden, to be forced or pressed down, to be compelled, to crave or be urgent, to urge strongly
Root / Etymology
Root: אָכף, likely denominative from the core meaning 'to be curved/bent.' The root's fundamental sense is connected with a curving or bending, which is metaphorically extended to the sense of being pressed or compelled. The relation to the noun אֵפוֹד ephod ('shoulder garment') is phonetic but not etymologically connected. No direct cognates in other Semitic languages are securely attested.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אָרַךְ (to be long), though phonetically similar, is unrelated. In the Hebrew Bible, אָכַף occurs in poetic and prophetic texts, often depicting Israel or individuals as bent or bowed down under oppression, hardship, or the weight of guilt. The nuance of 'craving' or 'urging' is rare, derived secondarily from the action of being bowed or pressed upon by intense desire or compulsion. This root is not widely attested and is relatively rare, with its meanings largely reconstructed from a small set of poetic examples. English translations sometimes render it variably as 'urge,' 'bend,' 'compel,' or 'crave,' but often flatten the original image of being oppressed or physically/foundationally bent. The word never denotes the idea of 'Jew' or religious identity, and is not tied to specific Israelite or Judahite historical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; apparently meaning to curve (as with a burden); to urge; crave.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אכף (ʾ-k-p̄) — bend, curve, press, compel
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H405 | אֶכֶף | and my burden-load |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H404-01 |
אָכַ֖ף | akhaf | HVqp3ms |
urges | he pressed down | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H404-01 |
Proverbs 16:26 | אָכַ֖ף | akhaf | HVqp3ms |
urges | he pressed down |