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תּוֹעָפָה

𐤕𐤅𐤏𐤐𐤄

tôwʻâphâh

H8443 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יעף to be weary, exhaust, exert force

Definition

Physical or metaphorical strength, power, or might; sometimes used to indicate abundance or substance, especially in the sense of what is produced by force or vigor. In poetic use, designates attributes of physical might (as in the horns or strength of wild animals), vigor, or the vital powers of a person or group. It may also figuratively refer to resources or wealth derived from strength.

Semantic Range

physical strength, power, might, horns (as symbols of strength), abundance, production derived from vigor, resources or wealth attained by force, metaphorical might

Root / Etymology

From the root יעף (y-ʻ-p), which in its verbal forms means 'to be weary, faint, tire,' but the nominal form תּוֹעָפָה has shifted by semantic extension to indicate the exertion of force or the product thereof (i.e., might or strength) rather than the result of exhaustion. The form is a noun, feminine, usually found in the plural in usages.

Historical & Contextual Notes

תּוֹעָפָה is a poetic and relatively rare word, typically found in the plural (תוֹעֲפוֹת) in biblical texts, especially in contexts describing the power or majesty of animals (notably the horns of a wild ox, e.g., Deut 33:17), as an image of tribal or military strength. It appears in blessings and prophetic poetry, conveying the idea of might or powerful capacities, sometimes with undertones of abundance or extensive resources but always drawing on the imagery of physical force or dynamic power. The word's semantic development likely reflects a move from the concept of 'exertion' or 'force' (i.e., what is exerted by tireless power) rather than weariness. Standard translations often obscure its metaphorical connection to the vitality and power embodied in animal horns or tribal vigor.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָעַף; (only in plural collective) weariness, i.e. (by implication) toil (treasure so obtained) or speed; plenty, strength.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יעף (y-ʿ-p) — weariness, exhaustion, exerted force

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3286 יָעַף the weary ones
H3288 יְעָף weariness

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8443-01 כְּ/תוֹעֲפֹ֥ת ketoafot HR/Ncfpc as it were the strength like mighty-powers of 2
H8443-02 תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת toafot HNcfpa heaps mighty powers 1
H8443-03 וְ/תוֹעֲפ֖וֹת vetoafot HC/Ncfpc and heights strengths of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8443-01 Numbers 23:22 כְּ/תוֹעֲפֹ֥ת ketoafot HR/Ncfpc like the strength like mighty-powers of
H8443-01 Numbers 24:8 כְּ/תוֹעֲפֹ֥ת ketoafot HR/Ncfpc as it were the strength like mighty-powers of
H8443-03 Psalms 95:4 וְ/תוֹעֲפ֖וֹת vetoafot HC/Ncfpc and heights strengths of
H8443-02 Job 22:25 תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת toafot HNcfpa heaps mighty powers
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