תִּכְלָה
𐤕𐤊𐤋𐤄
tiklâh
H8502 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or quality of being finished, completed, or brought to an end; sometimes the point of exhaustion or depletion. Most often denotes totality or culmination, with nuance dependent on context—whether in reference to positive completion (as of time, task, or process) or in a more negative sense of being exhausted, consumed, or annihilated.
Semantic Range
completion, consummation, end, perfection, complete consumption, utter exhaustion, finish, annihilation
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root כלה (k-l-h), which means 'to complete, finish, bring to an end, consume.' 'תִּכְלָה' is a feminine noun formation indicating the result or state associated with the action of the root—i.e., the result of bringing something to a conclusion or end.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תִּכְלָה appears predominantly in poetic or prophetic contexts. It conveys the end of a process or the exhaustion of resources (e.g., 'until there is an end' or 'no end'). The term can carry both positive connotations (fulfillment, accomplishment) and negative ones (consumption to nothingness, annihilation). Unlike תַּמָּה (end, completeness), which often marks a more neutral or formal conclusion, תִּכְלָה frequently bears an emotional or absolute tone, stressing thoroughness or utter exhaustion. Standard English translations such as 'end,' 'consummation,' or 'perfection' do not always convey the nuance of 'consumption' or 'exhaustion' intrinsic to the term. In late texts and post-biblical usage, the term's sense of 'perfection' gives way to 'consummation' or 'ultimate end.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּלָה; completeness; perfection.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
כלה (k-l-h) — to complete, bring to an end, consume, exhaust
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3615 | כָּלָה | I will bring to completion |
| H3616 | כָּלֶה | and wasting-away ones |
| H3617 | כָּלָה | completion |
| H3618 | כַּלָּה | completed woman |
| H3622 | כְּלוּהַי | Yah Completes |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8502-01 |
תִּ֭כְלָה | tikhelah | HNcfsa |
perfection | she will come to an end | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8502-01 |
Psalms 119:96 | תִּ֭כְלָה | tikhelah | HNcfsa |
perfection | she will come to an end |