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תָּקַף

𐤕𐤒𐤐

tâqaph

H8630 verb

SILEX Entry

Root תקף to be strong, to overpower, to prevail

Definition

To be strong, to become mighty, to prevail over or against; specifically, to exercise force, gain control, or assert dominance in a situation. In certain contexts, the term nuances the exertion of physical, social, or psychological force, often resulting in the subduing, overcoming, or mastering of another.

Semantic Range

to be or become strong, to overpower, to exert force, to prevail against, to gain dominance, to assert control, to master

Root / Etymology

Root: תקף. The root carries the sense of strength or prevailing force; תָּקַף is a primary verb form from this root, denoting action or state relating to becoming strong, growing powerful, or exerting force. Its core verbal usage centers on the process of gaining or demonstrating strength, often with the implication of overpowering.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, תָּקַף tends to appear in poetic or Late Biblical Hebrew, with relatively sparse usage overall. Where it does occur, it regularly connotes exertion of force or dominance, whether by a person (Ecclesiastes 4:12), a force (Ecclesiastes 6:10), or circumstance. Its appearances in Ecclesiastes reflect a broader semantic scope, including abstract forces or conditions as 'prevailing.' In post-biblical Hebrew (Mishnaic and later), its usage broadens, indicating being forceful or assertive in non-physical ways. Distinct from other Hebrew verbs for prevailing or conquering (e.g., גבר or כבש), תָּקַף typically describes the manner of exerted force or dominance rather than permanent conquest or subjugation. English translations often use terms like 'overpower,' 'prevail,' or 'be strong against,' but sometimes obscure the nuance of assertion of power rather than mere persistence or victory. The verb is not used as commonly or with as broad semantic range as other strength-related roots such as חזק.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to overpower; prevail (against).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תקף (t-q-p̄) — strength, might, prevailing force

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8623 תַּקִּיף mighty one
H8624 תַּקִּיף mighty
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
H8630-02 תִּתְקְפֵ֣/הוּ titeqefehu HVqi2ms/Sp3ms overpower him you will overpower him 2
H8630-01 ש/התקיף shhtqyf HTr/Vhc to overpower 1
H8630-03 יִתְקְפ/וֹ֙ yiteqefo HVqi3ms/Sp3ms he will overpower him 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8630-02 Job 14:20 תִּתְקְפֵ֣/הוּ titeqefehu HVqi2ms/Sp3ms you overpower him you will overpower him
H8630-02 Job 15:24 תִּ֝תְקְפֵ֗/הוּ titeqefehu HVqi3fs/Sp3ms overpower him you will overpower him
H8630-03 Ecclesiastes 4:12 יִתְקְפ/וֹ֙ yiteqefo HVqi3ms/Sp3ms he will overpower him
H8630-01 Ecclesiastes 6:10 ש/התקיף shhtqyf HTr/Vhc to overpower
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