תּוֹכֵחָה (to.khe.chah)
to.khe.chah
rebuke; argument
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun tochekha refers to a sharp verbal correction or reproof intended to guide someone back to the right path. It appears frequently in wisdom literature like Proverbs, where it is presented not as an insult but as a necessary tool for growth. The word captures the act of pointing out error through argument or chiding, often with the goal of preventing further harm.
Its meaning extends beyond simple criticism to include the concept of impeachment or formal accusation, yet in its most common usage, it describes constructive feedback. For instance, Proverbs 9:8 suggests that accepting this kind of rebuke leads to wisdom, while Proverbs 27:6 contrasts the faithfulness of such honest correction with the deceitful flattery of a friend.
This term highlights the value of directness in relationships. It implies that true care sometimes requires speaking hard truths rather than offering comfort through silence. The sources indicate that this form of speech is valued for its clarity and its potential to correct behavior before it leads to deeper trouble.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tochekha describes a sharp verbal correction meant to guide someone back to the right path. It appears often in wisdom literature where it is seen as a necessary tool for growth rather than an insult. This concept captures the act of pointing out error through argument or chiding, with the goal of preventing further harm before it leads to deeper trouble.
Accepting this kind of rebuke leads to wisdom, while ignoring it can lead others astray. True care sometimes requires speaking hard truths rather than offering comfort through silence. When we encounter directness in relationships, it implies that clarity and honesty are valued more than polite avoidance. This form of speech helps correct behavior and fosters understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rebuke4×
- correction4×
- and/ rebuke4×
- and/ rebuke/ my2×
- to/ rebuke/ my1×
- rebukes of1×
- rebukes1×
- rebuke/ my1×
- punishment<s>1×
- complaint/ my1×
- arguments1×
- argument/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תּוֹכַ֣חַת5×
- תוֹכַ֣חַת2×
- תּוֹכַחְתִּֽ/י\׃2×
- וְ֝/תוֹכַחְתִּ֗/י2×
- וְ/תוֹכֵחָ֛ה2×
- תוֹכָחֽוֹת\׃1×
- תוֹכַחְתִּ֑/י1×
- תּוֹכְח֥וֹת1×
- תּֽוֹכֵחָ֑ה1×
- תּֽ֝וֹכֵחֹ֗ת1×
- תּ֭וֹכָחוֹת1×
- תּ֝וֹכַ֗חַת1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 27:5
Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
This verse contrasts open rebuke with hidden love, highlighting the value of directness in relationships over polite avoidance.
-
Proverbs 10:17
He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
It shows that heeding correction keeps one on the way of life, while forsaking it leads others astray, emphasizing the practical impact of accepting feedback.