Lexical Summary yaqats: To awake, to awaken Original Word: יָקַץ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be awaked A primitive root; to awake (intransitive) -- (be) awake(-d). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to awake NASB Translation awaken (1), awakened (1), awoke (9), wake (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [יָקַץ] verb awake (Arabic  wake, be awake) — Qal Imperfect יִקָ֑ץ 1 Kings 18:27; וַיִּיקַץ Genesis 28:16 3t.; וַיִּקַץ Judges 16:20; Psalm 78:65; 1 Kings 3:15 (see Baer); וָאִיקָ֑ץ Genesis 41:21; יִָֽקְצוּ Habakkuk 2:7; — awake, Genesis 41:4,7,21 (E), 1 Kings 3:15; of Baal 1 Kings 18:27; followed by מִשְּׁנָתוֺ Genesis 28:16 (J), Judges 16:14,20; of Noah, מִיֵּינוֺ Genesis 9:24 (J), i.e. from drunken sleep; figurative of ׳י Psalm 78:65, i.e. become suddenly active; of enemies Habakkuk 2:7. — See also קיץ Hiph`il Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical Usageיָקַץ punctuates decisive moments when sleep ends and decisive action, realization, or divine intervention begins. Ten canonical occurrences range from patriarchal narratives (Genesis), through the era of the judges and kings, to poetic reflection (Psalm 78). In every case awakening marks a boundary between ignorance and awareness, passivity and activity, or peril and deliverance. The verb therefore becomes an inspired motif for spiritual vigilance and covenant faithfulness. Awakening as Turning Points in Redemptive History • Genesis 9:24 – Noah “awoke from his wine” and discovered the dishonor committed against him, precipitating the blessing-curse oracle that shapes the post-flood nations. • Genesis 28:16 – Jacob’s awakening at Bethel transforms a fugitive into a worshiper: “When Jacob woke up, he thought, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it.’” His stone pillow becomes a pillar, his fear becomes awe, and the promise of the Abrahamic covenant is newly embraced. • Genesis 41:4, 7, 21 – Pharaoh’s repeated wakings bracket dreams that prepare the way for Joseph’s exaltation and Israel’s preservation. The verb quietly underscores God’s sovereign orchestration of international events through the night visions of a pagan monarch. • 1 Kings 3:15 – Solomon “awoke and realized it had been a dream,” sealing the gift of wisdom that would bless Israel and foreshadow the reign of a greater Son of David. Each episode illustrates that behind human consciousness lies God’s purposeful revelation; waking is the signal that revelation now demands response. Human Slumber versus Divine Vigilance Judges 16 twice portrays Samson rudely awakened by Delilah’s cry, exposing his moral drowsiness. His physical arousal could not compensate for his spiritual stupor: “He awoke from his sleep… but he did not know that the LORD had departed from him” (Judges 16:20). The scene warns that outward alertness is worthless when covenant devotion has been lulled. By contrast Psalm 78:65 sings, “Then the Lord awoke as one from sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine.” The psalmist employs anthropomorphic language to declare that, though the covenant people may perceive divine inactivity, God remains ever alert and rises to defend His inheritance at the appointed time. Thus the verb, when applied to the LORD, highlights not divine lethargy but sovereign patience preceding decisive action. Mockery of Powerless Deities Elijah’s taunt on Mount Carmel—“Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened” (1 Kings 18:27)—exposes the impotence of Baal. The very possibility that a god could need rousing underscores the unique vigilance of the LORD, “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). Didactic and Prophetic Functions The varied settings of יָקַץ teach that: 1. Revelation may come in the secrecy of night but requires daylight obedience (Jacob, Solomon). Prophets and apostles later echo the motif: “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead” (Ephesians 5:14), tying physical waking to spiritual resurrection. Worship and Liturgical Resonance Ancient Israel’s worship recalled God’s “awakening” acts—at the Exodus, during the conquest, and in national revivals—encouraging congregations to plead, “Rouse Yourself! Why do You sleep, O Lord?” (Psalm 44:23). In Christian liturgy the call to confession and renewal continues this heritage, urging believers to shake off complacency and await Christ’s return. Pastoral and Practical Application • Personal Devotion – Believers are exhorted to cultivate daily awakening with awareness of God’s presence, imitating Jacob’s startled reverence. • Preaching – Sermons on Samson warn against flirting with sin that numbs spiritual sensitivity. • Counseling – The narrative of Pharaoh legitimizes the search for God’s purpose in the lives of unbelieving authorities, encouraging prayer for their awakening to truth. • Intercession – Psalm 78 motivates corporate prayer for divine intervention in seasons of decline, trusting that the Lord still “arises.” Christological and Eschatological Echoes Though יָקַץ itself is not used of the resurrection, the concept of awakening prepares hearts for the ultimate rousing: “God raised Him from the dead” (Acts 2:24). Jesus awakens the dead girl, the widow’s son, and Lazarus, foreshadowing the trumpet call when “the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Thus each Old Testament occurrence stirs anticipation of the day when slumbering mankind will hear the voice of the Son of God and wake eternally. Summary In Scripture יָקַץ marks the transition from darkness to light, from ignorance to revelation, from danger to deliverance. Whether in patriarchal tents, royal palaces, or prophetic poetry, the verb serves as a vivid reminder that God’s redemptive purposes advance whenever He rouses hearts, exposes sin, and unveils His glory. Forms and Transliterations וְיִקָֽץ׃ וַיִּ֥יקֶץ וַיִּיקַ֖ץ וַיִּיקַ֣ץ וַיִּיקַ֥ץ וַיִּיקַץ֙ וַיִּקַ֖ץ וַיִּקַ֣ץ וַיִּקַ֥ץ וָאִיקָֽץ׃ ואיקץ׃ וייקץ ויקץ ויקץ׃ vaiKatz vaiyiKatz vaiYiketz veyiKatz wā’îqāṣ wā·’î·qāṣ way·yi·qaṣ way·yî·qaṣ way·yî·qeṣ wayyiqaṣ wayyîqaṣ wayyîqeṣ wə·yi·qāṣ wəyiqāṣLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 9:24 HEB: וַיִּ֥יקֶץ נֹ֖חַ מִיֵּינ֑וֹ NAS: When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew KJV: And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew INT: awoke Noah his wine Genesis 28:16 Genesis 41:4 Genesis 41:7 Genesis 41:21 Judges 16:14 Judges 16:20 1 Kings 3:15 1 Kings 18:27 Psalm 78:65 10 Occurrences |
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