תַּקִּיף
𐤕𐤒𐤉𐤐
taqqîyph
H8624 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person or entity possessing great strength, power, or might; one who is strong, forceful, or dominant. In various contexts, it denotes individuals, deities, or powers characterized by strength or authority. The term primarily conveys the notion of physical, military, political, or supernatural force, depending on its subject.
Semantic Range
powerful, strong, mighty, dominant, forceful (person or entity); one possessing or exercising great strength; force or authority
Root / Etymology
From the Aramaic root תקף, corresponding to the Hebrew root תקף (to be strong, prevail, be firm). The form תַּקִּיף is the regular masculine singular adjective in Aramaic meaning 'powerful' or 'strong'; the word is derived from the root's core sense of strength or firmness, but at the word level, it specifically denotes one with might or force.
Historical & Contextual Notes
תַּקִּיף (taqqîyph) appears only in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (esp. Daniel and Ezra) and is used to describe beings or entities of great strength or authority—ranging from human rulers to divine beings. In Daniel, it is used in direct contextual contrast to weakness or impotence, especially in descriptions of sovereignty or military might (e.g., Daniel 4:3[6], 4:30[33]). The term is functionally equivalent to Hebrew גִּבּוֹר or עָצוּם, but its Aramaic usage may lack some of the military hero nuance of the Hebrew terms. In later Rabbinic and post-biblical Aramaic, the word continues to retain meanings related to power, strength, or dominance, including figurative uses for influential people. English translations often render תַּקִּיף as 'mighty', 'strong', or 'powerful'; however, the term may sometimes carry the nuance of one who dominates or subjugates others, especially when used to describe authorities or rulers. The application of 'Jew' or 'Judean' is not present in the usage of this adjective—it functions purely as a descriptor of might. Use of the word does not shift notably over the periods of Imperial Aramaic in the biblical text.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to תַּקִּיף; {powerful}; mighty, strong.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תקף (t-q-p) — to be strong, to overpower, to prevail
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8623 | תַּקִּיף | mighty one |
| H8630 | תָּקַף | to overpower |
| H8631 | תְּקֵף | she will grow strong |
| H8632 | תְּקֹף | in prevailing strength of |
| H8633 | תֹּקֶף | in prevailing-strength of |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8624-02 |
תַקִּיפִ֑ין | taqifin | AAampa |
mighty | powerful ones | 2 |
H8624-01 |
תַקִּיפָ֖ה | taqifah | AAafsa |
strong | mighty | 2 |
H8624-03 |
וְ/תַקִּיפָ֜א | vetaqifa | AC/Aafsa |
and exceedingly strong | and mighty | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8624-01 |
Daniel 2:40 | תַקִּיפָ֖ה | taqifah | AAafsa |
strong | mighty |
H8624-01 |
Daniel 2:42 | תַקִּיפָ֔ה | taqifah | AAafsa |
strong | mighty |
H8624-02 |
Daniel 3:33 | תַקִּיפִ֑ין | taqifin | AAampa |
mighty | powerful ones |
H8624-03 |
Daniel 7:7 | וְ/תַקִּיפָ֜א | vetaqifa | AC/Aafsa |
and exceedingly strong | and mighty |
H8624-02 |
Ezra 4:20 | תַּקִּיפִ֗ין | taqifin | AAampa |
mighty | powerful ones |