תֹּ֫קֶף (to.qeph)
to.qeph
power
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun toqeph denotes raw power, strength, or energy. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Esther and Daniel, where it describes the formidable force of rulers or armies. In these contexts, the word captures the imposing presence of authority that commands attention through sheer capability.
Its usage highlights the tangible might of human empires rather than internal virtue. For instance, in Daniel 11:24, it refers to the "power" of a king who acts with sudden force, illustrating how political dominance is often measured by the ability to exert control over others. This concrete sense of strength distinguishes it from words that might imply moral courage or spiritual resilience.
The term underscores the biblical theme that earthly power, while impressive, is temporary and subject to divine sovereignty. By limiting its occurrences to narratives about foreign kings, the text invites readers to contrast fleeting human authority with the enduring nature of God’s reign, reminding us that true strength lies beyond political maneuvering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word toqeph describes raw power or physical strength. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, mostly in stories about foreign kings and empires. These verses highlight the impressive force of human rulers who command attention through sheer capability. The text shows how political dominance is often measured by the ability to exert control over others.
While earthly power can seem permanent, these passages remind us that it is temporary. God’s sovereignty remains above all human authority. True strength lies beyond political maneuvering and military might. This perspective helps us trust in God’s enduring reign rather than relying on fleeting human influence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with/ [the] power of1×
- power/ his1×
- authority1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תֹּ֑קֶף1×
- תָקְפּ/וֹ֙1×
- בְּ/תֹ֧קֶף1×
Key Verses
-
Esther 9:29
Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew wrote with all authority to confirm this second letter of Purim.
This verse uses the word to describe the authority Esther and Mordecai exercised to confirm the festival of Purim, showing how divine providence works through human agency.
-
Esther 10:2
Aren’t all the acts of his power and of his might, and the full account of the greatness of Mordecai, to which the king advanced him, written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?
Here the term refers to the mighty acts recorded in the chronicles, emphasizing the tangible impact of Mordecai’s influence within the Persian empire.
-
Daniel 11:17
He will set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and with him equitable conditions. He will perform them. He will give him the daughter of women, to destroy the kingdom, but she will not stand, and won’t be for him.
The word describes the strength of a king’s entire kingdom as he attempts to destroy another realm, illustrating the temporary nature of human military power.