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תָּכָךְ

𐤕𐤊𐤊

tâkâk

H8501 noun

SILEX Entry

Root תכך to break, to shatter, to collapse

Definition

Denotes what is deceitful, unreliable, or treacherous; refers to something that betrays trust because it appears solid or supportive but is, in fact, prone to fail or give way. Used in the context of metaphorical or literal support that proves false or untrustworthy.

Semantic Range

deceitful (metaphorically unreliable), treacherous support, that which betrays expectation, unstable chaff, something likely to fail

Root / Etymology

Root is uncertain; possibly connected to an unused root implying 'to break, crush, shatter.' The form תָּכָךְ occurs only in poetry and is rare; related in meaning to expressions describing something that is liable to fail or disappoint.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, תָּכָךְ is an uncommon poetical term, appearing only in Job 21:18, where it is often understood as 'chaff' or as a metaphor for instability and worthlessness. Some ancient translators interpreted it in the sense of 'deceitful' or 'treacherous,' a nuance related to a support that turns out to be unreliable. The meaning is paralleled by similar words expressing disappointment or failed reliability. The term does not refer to personal moral deceit, but rather the quality of being deceptive about strength or support. Standard English rendering, such as 'chaff,' can obscure this nuance; some versions render it as 'stubble' but the underlying metaphor is unreliability, rather than just agricultural refuse. This word does not participate in common Israelite terminology for moral deceit. Its usage is rare and distinct to poetic or wisdom literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning; to dissever, i.e. crush; deceitful.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תכך (t-k-k) — break, shatter, collapse

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8501-01 תְּכָכִ֣ים tekhakhim HNcmpa oppressions treacherous supports 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8501-01 Proverbs 29:13 תְּכָכִ֣ים tekhakhim HNcmpa oppressions treacherous supports
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