Lexical Summary takah: To drive, thrust, or strike Original Word: תָּכָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sit down A primitive root; to strew, i.e. Encamp -- sit down. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition perhaps to follow NASB Translation followed (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תָּכָה] verb meaning wholly dubious; — Pu`al Perfect3plural וְהֵם תֻּכּוּ לְרַגְלֶ֑ךָ Deuteronomy 33:3; were led or assembled would suit context; see especially Dr Berthol. תְּכוּנָה see כון Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Deuteronomy 33:3 is the only place where the verb תָּכָה appears. In Moses’ farewell blessing it describes how the covenant people relate to the LORD: “Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand. They bow down at Your feet, and receive Your words.” (Berean Standard Bible). Immediate Literary Setting Verses 2–5 set the scene at Sinai, recalling how the LORD came “with myriads of holy ones” and with “flaming fire at His right hand” (Deuteronomy 33:2). Inside that theophany, תָּכָה paints Israel submitting, listening, and learning. The word links divine affection (“You love the people”) with human response (“They bow down … receive Your words”), forming a snapshot of covenant communion. Meaning and Imagery Ancient Near-Eastern culture used sitting or bowing at someone’s feet to convey loyalty, discipleship, and readiness to obey (compare Ruth 3:7; 2 Kings 4:37; Acts 22:3). תָּכָה therefore speaks of willing subordination rather than forced subjection. The posture is low, yet the privilege is high: the nation gathers close enough to hear every syllable of God’s instruction. Theological Themes • Covenant Intimacy: God’s love secures His people “in Your hand,” then draws them near. The act of bowing is covenant, not servility; affection precedes obedience (John 14:15). Historical and Cultural Insights At Sinai the elders of Israel literally ascended partway up the mountain (Exodus 24:9–11). The picture in Deuteronomy 33:3 may recall that scene: a nation seated like disciples around their Teacher. Rabbinic tradition later developed the phrase “to sit at the feet” of a rabbi, a custom echoed when Paul says he was “brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3). The word thus spans Sinai, Second-Temple Judaism, and early Christian usage, rooting Christian discipleship in Israel’s experience. Christological Foreshadowing The same posture reappears around Jesus. Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His word” (Luke 10:39), anticipating the humility depicted in תָּכָה. Revelation 1:17 records John falling “at His feet as though dead,” showing that worshipful submission continues before the exalted Christ. Moses’ final blessing therefore prefigures the Church’s call to gather at the feet of the greater Mediator (Hebrews 1:1–2). Application for Ministry Today • Preachers and teachers: Model what you ask of hearers—place yourself first under the Word. Summary תָּכָה encapsulates a single, vivid picture: God’s cherished people, securely held, voluntarily gathering at His feet to hear and obey. Though rare in vocabulary, the concept pervades the entire biblical account and offers a timeless model for life under the authority of God’s Word. Forms and Transliterations תֻּכּ֣וּ תכו tuk·kū tukKu tukkūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 33:3 HEB: בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְהֵם֙ תֻּכּ֣וּ לְרַגְלֶ֔ךָ יִשָּׂ֖א NAS: are in Your hand, And they followed in Your steps; KJV: [are] in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; INT: your hand and they followed your steps receives |
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