a primitive root; to awake (intransitive); (be) awake(-d).
Transliteration:yâqats
Pronunciation:yaw-kats'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb יָקַץ (yâqats), Strong's number `{{H3364}}`, is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to awake" or "to be awake." It describes the transition from a state of sleep to wakefulness, an intransitive action where the subject itself undergoes the change. Unlike other roots that might imply rousing or stirring by an external agent (e.g., `{{H5782}}` עוּר, *‘ur*), יָקַץ primarily denotes the internal act of coming out of sleep. Its semantic range is relatively narrow, focusing on this specific physiological and, by extension, metaphorical state change.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb יָקַץ appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are significant.
1. **Physical Awakening from Natural Sleep:** The most common usage describes a literal waking from sleep. For instance, Jacob "awoke from his sleep" in [[Genesis 28:16]] after his dream of the ladder to heaven, leading to his profound realization of God's presence. Similarly, Samson "awoke from his sleep" in [[Judges 16:14]] and [[Judges 16:20]] after Delilah's attempts to weaken him, highlighting his physical state. The Psalmist declares, "I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me" in [[Psalm 3:5]], signifying divine protection and renewal.
2. **Awakening from a Dream:** יָקַץ is frequently used in contexts where individuals awake specifically from a dream, often a divinely sent one. Pharaoh "awoke" from his first dream in [[Genesis 41:4]] and then again from his second dream in [[Genesis 41:7]] and [[Genesis 41:21]], underscoring the impact and vividness of the visions. King Solomon "awoke" from his dream in Gibeon, realizing its divine origin and significance for his reign ([[1 Kings 3:15]]). Jeremiah also "awoke" from a dream, finding it pleasant and refreshing ([[Jeremiah 31:26]]). Zechariah's "awakening" in [[Zechariah 4:1]] is prompted by an angel, indicating a return to conscious reception of prophetic vision.
3. **Figurative/Metaphorical Awakening:** Beyond the literal, יָקַץ carries profound metaphorical weight in two key passages.
* In [[Psalm 73:20]], the Psalmist reflects on the fleeting prosperity of the wicked, stating, "Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you arise, you will despise their phantom image." Here, "awakes" (from *yâqats*) describes the sudden realization of the emptiness of the wicked's success, likened to a dream that vanishes upon waking. It implies a divine "awakening" to judgment or a sudden shift in perspective.
* Most significantly, [[Daniel 12:2]] uses יָקַץ to describe the resurrection: "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." This is a powerful metaphor where "sleep in the dust" represents death, and "awaking" signifies bodily resurrection. This passage elevates the meaning of יָקַץ from a simple physical act to a profound eschatological event.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary antonym for יָקַץ (to awake) would be verbs meaning "to sleep," such as `{{H3462}}` (יָשֵׁן, *yashen*) or `{{H7901}}` (שָׁכַב, *shakab*, to lie down/sleep).
While יָקַץ focuses on the *act* of waking, another related verb is `{{H5782}}` (עוּר, *‘ur*), which can also mean "to awake" but often carries the nuance of "to rouse," "to stir up," or "to be alert," and can be transitive (to awaken someone) or intransitive. יָקַץ is more specifically about the internal cessation of sleep.
The concept of "awakening" is intrinsically linked to states of consciousness, dreams, divine revelation (especially through dreams), and, most profoundly, the transition from death to life.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of יָקַץ extends beyond its literal meaning, illuminating key biblical themes:
1. **Divine Presence and Revelation:** Jacob's awakening in [[Genesis 28:16]] marks a moment of profound spiritual realization, where the physical act of waking leads to an awareness of God's immanence. The repeated use of יָקַץ in contexts of awakening from dreams (Pharaoh, Solomon, Jeremiah, Zechariah) highlights dreams as a significant medium for divine communication and revelation in the Old Testament. The awakening signifies the transition from receiving the divine message to conscious reflection and response.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** In [[Psalm 73:20]], the metaphor of God's "awakening" to the vanity of the wicked's prosperity suggests divine awareness and the eventual manifestation of justice. It implies that God, though seemingly inactive, will ultimately act decisively to judge the unrighteous.
3. **Resurrection from the Dead:** The most profound theological implication of יָקַץ is found in [[Daniel 12:2]]. Here, "awakening" from the "sleep of the dust" is a clear and foundational reference to the bodily resurrection of the dead. This passage is a cornerstone of Old Testament eschatology, presenting the daily human experience of waking from sleep as a powerful metaphor for the ultimate triumph over death and the restoration of life, leading to eternal destiny. It connects the mundane act of waking to the grand narrative of God's redemptive plan.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb יָקַץ (yâqats, `{{H3364}}`) primarily denotes the intransitive act of "to awake" from sleep. While often used literally to describe a person waking, particularly from dreams that carry divine messages, its theological depth is most powerfully revealed in its metaphorical application. From Jacob's spiritual awakening to God's presence, to the prophetic reception of divine revelation through dreams, יָקַץ consistently points to a transition from a state of unawareness or rest to one of consciousness and action. Most significantly, in [[Daniel 12:2]], it serves as a foundational term for the doctrine of bodily resurrection, transforming the common experience of waking into a profound symbol of eternal life and divine power over death.
TRV