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תְּקֵף

𐤕𐤒𐤐

tᵉqêph

H8631 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To become strong, to prevail, to be firm or steadfast; in causative forms, to reinforce or make strong. The word also can denote hardening in resolve or obstinacy, especially in figurative contexts. The primary sense is one of acquiring or exhibiting strength, whether physical, moral, or metaphorical.

Semantic Range

to become strong, to prevail, to be firm, to be steadfast, to make strong (causative), to reinforce, to harden (oneself), to become obstinate

Root / Etymology

Root: תקף. The root carries the central sense of 'to be strong' or 'to overpower.' The Aramaic verb תְּקֵף is a Peal (G-stem) verb derived from this root, maintaining the meaning of becoming or being strong, prevailing, or in some contexts, becoming firm or resolute.

Historical & Contextual Notes

תְּקֵף is found in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel, appearing in contexts of becoming strong, prevailing, or, in some cases, hardening or becoming obstinate. While closely related to the Hebrew root תָּקַף—which also means 'to overpower' or 'to grasp strongly'—the Aramaic verb's usage contextually emphasizes a process or state of strengthening, often with political or personal resolve implications. The primary nuance is not only sheer force, but also steadfastness or firmness, at times with a negative connotation of stubbornness. Standard English translations like 'become strong' or 'harden' may not always capture these nuances, particularly when used figuratively for obstinacy or resoluteness against change. In post-biblical Aramaic and Hebrew, derivatives of this root continue to mean 'strong,' 'forceful,' or even 'stubborn.' Distinguish from other Hebrew/Aramaic verbs for 'strength' (e.g., חזק), which often focus on physical might rather than firmness or resoluteness.

Translation Consistency

primary "become" 1 occurrence

The primary and most natural sense of תְּקֵף in context is to come to be strong/firm or to prevail (most P2 renderings are 'became'). Using 'become' keeps the basic intransitive meaning consistent and allows causative forms to be rendered naturally (e.g., 'make become' or idiomatically 'cause to become strong'/'strengthen' when needed) while preserving a single, common base verb.

Alternatives (4 occurrences):
"became strong" (3x) "reinforce" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to תָּקַף; to become (causatively, make) mighty or (figuratively) obstinate; make firm, harden, be(-come) strong.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תקף (t-q-p̄) — strength, firmness, prevailing power

Root תקף to be strong, to overpower, to prevail
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8623 תַּקִּיף mighty one
H8624 תַּקִּיף mighty
H8630 תָּקַף to overpower
H8632 תְּקֹף in prevailing strength of
H8633 תֹּקֶף in prevailing-strength of

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8631-04 וּ/תְקִ֑ף uteqif AC/Vqp3ms and mighty and he became strong and became strong 2
H8631-01 תִּֽקְפַ֣ת tiqefat AVqi3fs became she will grow strong became strong 1
H8631-02 וּ/לְ/תַקָּפָ֖ה uletaqafah AC/R/Vpc and to make strong and to reinforce and to reinforce 1
H8631-03 וּ/תְקֵ֑פְתְּ uteqefete AC/Vqp2ms and strong and you became strong and you have become strong 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8631-04 Daniel 4:8 וּ/תְקִ֑ף uteqif AC/Vqp3ms and-strong and he became strong and became strong
H8631-04 Daniel 4:17 וּ/תְקִ֑ף uteqif AC/Vqp3ms and mighty and he became strong and became strong
H8631-03 Daniel 4:19 וּ/תְקֵ֑פְתְּ uteqefete AC/Vqp2ms and strong and you became strong and you have become strong
H8631-01 Daniel 5:20 תִּֽקְפַ֣ת tiqefat AVqi3fs became she will grow strong became strong
H8631-02 Daniel 6:8 וּ/לְ/תַקָּפָ֖ה uletaqafah AC/R/Vpc and to make strong and to reinforce and to reinforce
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