Lexical Summary taqeph: To overpower, to prevail, to be strong Original Word: תָּקַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance prevail against A primitive root; to overpower -- prevail (against). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to prevail over, overpower NASB Translation overpower (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תָּקֵף] verb prevail over, overpower (late; Late Hebrew id.; Aramaism; Aramaic תְּקֵיף,  be strong; Nabataean תקף authority; compare NöZMG xlvii (1893), 102; Sabean תקף overpower SabDenkmNo.9.l.13; Arabic  attain to, overtake, overpower); — Qal Imperfect:3masculine singular suffix יִתְקְפוֺ Ecclesiastes 4:12 (Ges§ 60d) if one overpower him, so 3 feminine singular suffix תִּתְקְפֵ֫הוּ Job 14:20; 3feminine singular suffix id. Job 15:24. [תְּקֵף] verb grow strong (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew, q. v., (late)) — Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular תְּקִ֑ף, of tree, Daniel 4:8; Daniel 4:17; 2masculine singular תְּקֵמְתְּ Daniel 4:19; of king; 3feminine singular תְִּקַפַת Daniel 5:20 figurative grow arrogant, of spirit of man. Pa`el make strong, stringent: Infinitive לְתַקָּפָה Daniel 6:8 accusative of interdict. Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Canonical Distribution תָּקַף appears only four times, all within Wisdom Literature (Job 14:20; Job 15:24; Ecclesiastes 4:12; Ecclesiastes 6:10). In every case the verb carries the idea of prevailing, overpowering, or gaining the upper hand. The limited distribution concentrates its theological weight on reflections about mortality, oppression, and the limits of human strength—core questions that wisdom texts wrestle with under the fear of the LORD. Contextual Insights in Job Job 14:20 presents humanity’s helplessness before God: “You forever overpower him, and he passes on; You change his countenance and send him away.” Here תָּקַף frames God’s irresistible sovereignty over life’s brevity. Job 15:24 shifts the subject to terror personified: “Distress and anguish terrify him, overwhelming him like a king poised to attack.” The verb underscores how suffering can seize a person with the same inescapable force attributed to God in chapter 14. Together, the occurrences expose both divine and existential powers that stand beyond human control, urging humility and dependence on the Almighty. Wisdom Perspective in Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes offers a complementary lens. Ecclesiastes 4:12 affirms the protective strength of companionship: “And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” The verb highlights the reality that isolation makes one susceptible to defeat, whereas righteous community mitigates vulnerability. Ecclesiastes 6:10 then confronts human limitations: “Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.” The verse pushes the discussion toward the Creator’s predetermined order; no amount of striving (“contending”) can overturn divine decree. Theological Implications 1. Divine Sovereignty: Job’s usage confirms that God alone ultimately prevails. Human beings, regardless of their resolve, cannot withstand His purposes (Job 42:2). Practical Ministry Applications • Counseling Suffering Believers: Use Job 14:20 to remind sufferers that the brevity and fragility of life are under God’s wise governance, cultivating trust rather than despair. Historical Reflection Jewish sages and early Christian commentators alike saw תָּקַף as a reminder of the limits of human agency. Rabbinic writings cited Ecclesiastes 4:12 to promote communal Torah study, while church fathers applied the image of the triple cord to faith, hope, and love. Throughout church history the verb has been invoked in prayers acknowledging God’s overpowering strength and in liturgies that commit the congregation to mutual support. Summary תָּקַף serves as a concise yet potent witness to the overwhelming forces—divine, oppressive, communal—that shape human existence. It calls readers to acknowledge God’s ultimate power, recognize the insufficiency of isolated human effort, and embrace God-ordained community as a means of perseverance. Forms and Transliterations יִתְקְפוֹ֙ יתקפו שֶׁתַּקִּ֖יף שתקיף תִּ֝תְקְפֵ֗הוּ תִּתְקְפֵ֣הוּ תתקפהו šet·taq·qîp̄ šettaqqîp̄ shettakKif tiṯ·qə·p̄ê·hū titkeFehu tiṯqəp̄êhū yiṯ·qə·p̄ōw yitkeFo yiṯqəp̄ōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 14:20 HEB: תִּתְקְפֵ֣הוּ לָ֭נֶצַח וַֽיַּהֲלֹ֑ךְ NAS: You forever overpower him and he departs; KJV: Thou prevailest for ever INT: overpower forever departs Job 15:24 Ecclesiastes 4:12 Ecclesiastes 6:10 4 Occurrences |
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