לָכַד (la.khad)
la.khad
to capture
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 108 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb lākad primarily means to capture, seize, or take hold of something. Its core imagery comes from hunting and warfare, describing the act of catching animals in nets or snares, as seen in Psalm 35:8, or seizing cities and people in battle, such as when Israel captures Ai in Joshua 8:21. It conveys a forceful taking that leaves no room for escape.
Beyond physical capture, the word carries distinct nuances. In Joshua 7:14, it describes choosing a tribe by lot, highlighting a sense of divine selection or marking out. Figuratively, it can describe being trapped by one’s own cunning, as in Proverbs 5:22, where evil deeds ensnare the wicked. The sources also note its use for water being intercepted or taken away before an enemy in Judges 7:24.
A unique feature of lākad is its Hithpael form, which means to grasp each other or stick together. This usage appears in Job 41:9 to describe the tight, inseparable scales of a Leviathan. This rare sense of cohesion adds depth to the word’s range, moving from violent seizure to firm, unbreakable attachment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word lākad paints a vivid picture of taking hold of something with certainty. In the Old Testament, it often describes military victories where Israel captured cities or hunted prey in nets. This imagery reminds us that God is actively involved in history, securing outcomes that seem impossible to human effort alone.
Yet the word also carries a deeper spiritual weight. In Joshua 7, it describes how Achan was 'selected' or 'taken' by lot for his sin. Here, capture is not about physical force but divine discernment. God sees what is hidden and brings it into the light. This assures us that nothing is truly concealed from Him, and His justice is both thorough and fair.
For your faith life, this word offers comfort in God’s sovereignty. Whether He is capturing a situation for good or exposing hidden areas of our hearts, His hand is firm. We can trust that He holds all things securely, guiding history toward His intended purpose without losing control of the details.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 108 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he captured15×
- and/ they captured9×
- and/ he captured/ it7×
- it will be captured5×
- he captured5×
- and/ they captured/ it5×
- and/ he will capture/ it5×
- and/ he was taken by lot5×
- it was captured4×
- he will take/ it3×
- he had captured3×
- and/ they will be captured3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַֽ/יִּלְכְּדָֽ/הּ\׃4×
- וַ/יִּלָּכֵ֖ד4×
- וַ/יִּלְכֹּ֤ד4×
- נִלְכְּדָ֣ה3×
- נִלְכְּדָ֖ה3×
- וּ/לְכָדָֽ/הּ\׃3×
- וַ/יִּלְכֹּ֖ד3×
- לָכַ֨ד2×
- לָכַ֥ד2×
- לָכַ֤ד2×
- לָכַ֖ד2×
- יִלָּכֵ֖ד2×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 6:20
So the people shouted and the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight in front of him, and they took the city.
This verse shows the word describing the physical taking of Jericho after the walls fell, marking a decisive moment of divine intervention in battle.
-
Joshua 7:18
He brought near his household man by man, and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected.
Here the Hithpael form is used to describe Achan being 'selected' or marked out by lot, highlighting God’s ability to identify specific individuals within a group.
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Numbers 21:32
Moses sent to spy out Jazer. They took its villages, and drove out the Amorites who were there.
This occurrence records the Israelites taking villages from the Amorites, illustrating the word’s standard use for military seizure of territory.
-
Joshua 8:21
When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned back and killed the men of Ai.
The text notes that the ambush had taken the city, emphasizing the successful execution of a strategic plan to secure Ai.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word lākad mean?
How is lākad different from other words for 'take'?
Why is this word important in Joshua 7?
Every Occurrence (108 verses across 22 books)
Numbers 4 verses
Moses sent to spy out Jazer. They took its villages, and drove out the Amorites who were there.
Numbers 32:39The children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were therein.
Numbers 32:41Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its villages, and called them Havvoth Jair.
Numbers 32:42Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.