Word Study for H8443 (תּוֹעָפָה)

tôwʻâphâh /to-aw-faw'/ Ask about this word

Meaning(only in plural collective) weariness, i.e. (by implication) toil (treasure so obtained) or speed

KJV usageplenty, strength.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tôwʻâphâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word tôwʻâphâh, represented by H8443, is a term conveying concepts of great power and abundance. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. While its root can imply weariness or toil, the word itself is used to describe formidable strength or immense plenty, suggesting a power or treasure that has been impressively obtained or displayed.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H8443 appears in two primary contexts. First, it describes the mighty strength of the nation of Israel, which is a direct result of God's deliverance. In both Numbers 23:22 and Numbers 24:8, this strength is compared to that of a unicorn (H7214). Second, it denotes material wealth, as seen in Job 22:25, where having the Almighty as one's defense results in plenty of silver. Finally, it is used to characterize the power of God's creation, with the strength of the hills belonging to Him Psalms 95:4.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illuminate the meaning of H8443:

H7214 rᵉʼêm (a wild bull...; unicorn): This word is used as a direct simile for the kind of strength that H8443 represents, emphasizing a powerful and untamable force Numbers 23:22.
H410 ʼêl (strength;... God): This term for God appears as the direct source of the strength (H8443) that Israel possesses, clarifying that their power is not their own but is given by Him Numbers 24:8.
H7706 Shadday (the Almighty): In Job, this name for God is linked to the promise of abundance. When the Almighty is one's defense, the result is plenty (H8443) of silver Job 22:25.
H1220 betser (gold...; gold defence): This word appears as defence in Job 22:25, showing that spiritual security in the Almighty is the prerequisite for receiving the material plenty (H8443) described.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8443 is centered on its divine origin. It consistently points to a power or abundance that comes from God, not from man.

God as the Source of Strength: The term is never attributed to human effort. Israel's strength is a gift from God who brought them out of Egypt Numbers 23:22, and the strength of the very hills is an expression of God's creative power Psalms 95:4.
Strength through Deliverance: In the book of Numbers, Israel's strength is a direct consequence of God's redemptive act. Their power over enemies is rooted in their relationship with the God who delivered them.
Prosperity through Faith: The context in Job 22:25 shifts the meaning from martial might to material blessing. It teaches that true plenty is a result of making God your ultimate treasure and defence.

Summary

In summary, H8443 is a powerful word that encapsulates both overwhelming strength and abundant wealth. In every instance, it is a quality that originates with God. Whether describing the might of His chosen people, the majesty of His creation, or the blessings He bestows upon the faithful, tôwʻâphâh serves as a biblical reminder that all true strength and plenty are divine gifts.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 4 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

תוֹעֲפֹת
תּוֹעָפוֹת

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Numbers (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

Numbers

Job

Psalms

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.