Lexical Summary toaphah: Loftiness, height, exaltation Original Word: תּוֹעָפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance error, hinder From ya'aph; (only in plural collective) weariness, i.e. (by implication) toil (treasure so obtained) or speed -- plenty, strength. see HEBREW ya'aph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition eminence NASB Translation choice (1), horns (2), peaks (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תּוֺעָפָה] noun feminine eminence; of towering horns (? see Di) כְּתוֺעֲפֹת רְאֵם לוֺ Numbers 23:22; Numbers 24:8, simile of strength of Israel; of peaks תּוֺעֲפוֺת הָרִים לוֺ Psalm 95:4 ("" מֶחְקְרֵיאָֿ֑רֶץ); of silver Job 22:25 כֶּסֶף תּוֺעָפוֺת לָ֑ךְ, very dubious, perhaps heaps or bars (ingots). Topical Lexicon Physical Imagery and Conceptual Rangeתּוֹעָפָה most commonly evokes the towering, power-laden horns of the wild ox—an animal renowned in the ancient Near East for untamable vigor. By extension the term reaches upward to describe mountain peaks and downward to denote precious, gleaming ore hidden deep within the earth. The single word therefore moves effortlessly from raw animal force, to exalted elevations, to refined treasure, painting a composite picture of that which is strong, lofty, and valuable. Occurrences in Scripture • Numbers 23:22 and Numbers 24:8 place the word on Balaam’s lips. Twice he testifies that Israel’s God “has the strength of a wild ox,” locating the nation’s security in a strength not internally generated but divinely bestowed. Divine Strength on Israel’s Behalf In the wilderness prophecies of Balaam, תּוֹעָפָה anchors the assurance that God’s covenant power, not Israel’s numerical might, guarantees victory. The horned imagery is aggressive: “He will devour nations that are His adversaries” (Numbers 24:8). Preincarnate Christological overtones emerge in the portrayal of a conquering, protective strength operating for His people and against their foes. Ownership of Heights and Depths Psalm 95:4 balances the terror of raw power with the serenity of sovereignty. The highest peaks belong to Him, yet so do the subterranean depths. By enclosing both extremes in His hand, the verse proclaims that no sphere—spiritual or geographical—lies outside His rule. The faithful therefore rest in a God whose dominion is as unassailable as the horns of the wild ox and as permanent as the mountain ranges. Value Beyond Earthly Treasure Job 22:25 speaks of relational treasure. When the Almighty becomes the worshiper’s “gold,” strength turns inward to transform affection. The same God who wields horns and owns heights now becomes the believer’s riches, redirecting hope from material gain to covenant fellowship. Christological Resonance The horn motif anticipates Messianic language: “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us” (Luke 1:69). The incarnate Son embodies the untamed power of Numbers and the regal exaltation of the Psalms, yet offers Himself as the true treasure foreshadowed in Job. Thus תּוֹעָפָה threads its way to the Gospel, pointing from physical might to spiritual deliverance. Ministry and Discipleship Implications 1. Assurance: Pastors may draw upon Numbers 23:22 to remind congregations that divine strength, not human ingenuity, secures redemption and sustains mission. Summary Across its four appearances תּוֹעָפָה weaves a tapestry of divine power, exalted ownership, and incomparable worth. Whether depicted as horns goring Israel’s enemies, peaks crowning creation, or ore enriching the heart, the term ultimately directs the reader to the LORD Himself—the source, summit, and substance of enduring strength and treasure. Forms and Transliterations וְתוֹעֲפ֖וֹת ותועפות כְּתוֹעֲפֹ֥ת כתועפת תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת תועפות kə·ṯō·w·‘ă·p̄ōṯ ketoaFot kəṯōw‘ăp̄ōṯ tō·w·‘ā·p̄ō·wṯ toaFot tōw‘āp̄ōwṯ vetoaFot wə·ṯō·w·‘ă·p̄ō·wṯ wəṯōw‘ăp̄ōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 23:22 HEB: מוֹצִיאָ֣ם מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם כְּתוֹעֲפֹ֥ת רְאֵ֖ם לֽוֹ׃ NAS: them out of Egypt, He is for them like the horns of the wild ox. KJV: of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn. INT: brings of Egypt the horns of the wild Numbers 24:8 Job 22:25 Psalm 95:4 4 Occurrences |
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