### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H8445}}`, *Tôwqahath* (תּוֹקַהַת), is primarily a proper noun, identified as the name of an Israelite. Its etymological root, however, provides significant insight into its semantic range. According to the Strong's Concordance, `{{H8445}}` is derived "from the same as יִקָּהָה," which refers to `{{H3349}}` (*yiqqāhāh*), meaning "obedience" or "hearkening." This suggests that the name `{{H8445}}` inherently carries the connotation of compliance, attentiveness, or submission to authority.
Furthermore, the Strong's entry notes a textual correction or variant reading, stating "Tikvath (by correction for תִּקְוָה)." The word *Tiqvah* (תִּקְוָה), represented by `{{H8616}}`, signifies "hope" or "expectation." This dual etymological possibility—either "obedience" or "hope"—enriches the word's potential meaning and suggests a fascinating interplay between these two profound theological concepts within the biblical tradition. While `{{H8445}}` itself is a proper name, its underlying semantic roots point to foundational aspects of the human-divine relationship.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The proper noun `{{H8445}}`, *Tôwqahath* (or its variant *Tikvah*), appears in the historical books of the Old Testament. Specifically, it is found in:
* [[2 Kings 22:14]]: "So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter, and they spoke with her."
* [[2 Chronicles 34:22]]: "So Hilkiah and those whom the king had sent went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter, and they spoke with her."
In both instances, `{{H8445}}` identifies the father of Shallum, whose wife, Huldah, was a prophetess consulted by King Josiah's delegation regarding the newly discovered Book of the Law. The context is purely genealogical and descriptive, serving to identify Shallum. The individual named Tokahath/Tikvah is not an active participant in the narrative, and the text does not provide any direct information about his character or actions that would explicitly illustrate the meaning of his name (either "obedience" or "hope"). His significance lies solely in his familial connection to a key figure in Josiah's religious reforms. The slight variation in spelling between "Tikvah" in Kings and "Tokhath" in Chronicles, along with the differing grandfather's name (Harhas vs. Hasrah), highlights the fluidity of ancient transcription and the textual note in Strong's regarding the correction.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words stem directly from the etymological notes provided by the Strong's Concordance:
* **`{{H3349}}` (יִקָּהָה, *yiqqāhāh*):** This noun, meaning "obedience" or "hearkening," is the direct semantic root of `{{H8445}}`. It is derived from the verb יָקַהּ (yaqah), which implies attentiveness or the act of obeying.
* **`{{H8616}}` (תִּקְוָה, *tiqvāh*):** This noun signifies "hope," "expectation," or "cord." Its root is קָוָה (`{{H6960}}`, *qāwāh*), meaning "to wait," "to hope," or "to expect." The textual note connecting `{{H8445}}` to `{{H8616}}` suggests a potential scribal variant or an intentional play on words, linking the concepts of "obedience" and "hope."
Beyond these direct etymological links, `{{H8445}}` relates to broader biblical concepts:
* **Obedience:** This is a foundational theme throughout the Hebrew Bible, often expressed through words like שָׁמַע (`{{H8085}}`, *shama‘*, "to hear, obey"), which is central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 6:3]]).
* **Hope:** Also a pervasive theme, particularly in times of distress or exile, often articulated through terms like בָּטַח (`{{H0982}}`, *bāṭaḥ*, "to trust, to be confident") or יָחַל (`{{H3176}}`, *yāḥal*, "to wait, to hope"). Hope in God's faithfulness and promises is a recurring motif (e.g., [[Psalm 42:5]]).
The unique connection between "obedience" and "hope" in the potential meanings of `{{H8445}}` suggests a deep theological resonance, where one concept often informs or enables the other.
### Theological Significance
While `{{H8445}}` is a proper noun identifying a relatively obscure individual, its etymological roots—"obedience" and "hope"—carry immense theological weight within the biblical narrative.
1. **Obedience as a Core Virtue:** The concept of obedience (*yiqqāhāh*) is fundamental to biblical theology. It signifies a proper response to divine revelation and command. For Israel, obedience to the Torah was the pathway to blessing, covenant faithfulness, and continued relationship with Yahweh ([[Deuteronomy 28:1-14]]). Disobedience, conversely, led to judgment and separation ([[Deuteronomy 28:15-68]]). A name like *Tôwqahath*, meaning "obedience," would implicitly affirm this central tenet, suggesting a family or lineage that valued adherence to God's will.
2. **Hope as Divine Reliance:** The alternative meaning of "hope" (*tiqvāh*) is equally profound. Biblical hope is not mere optimism but a confident expectation rooted in God's character, His promises, and His past acts of deliverance. It is a steadfast trust in the midst of adversity, anticipating God's future intervention and restoration ([[Lamentations 3:21-26]]).
3. **The Interplay of Obedience and Hope:** The most compelling theological significance of `{{H8445}}` lies in the potential semantic overlap between "obedience" and "hope." In biblical thought, these concepts are often intertwined. True hope in God's promises can motivate obedience, even when the path is difficult or the outcome uncertain ([[Romans 5:3-5]]). Conversely, a life of obedience is an expression of trust and hope in God's faithfulness to His covenant. The name `{{H8445}}` thus subtly points to a holistic understanding of faith, where active submission to God's will is inseparable from a confident expectation in His ultimate purposes. Even for a minor figure, the name itself can serve as a miniature theological statement, reflecting the values and aspirations of the community from which it arose.
### Summary
`{{H8445}}`, *Tôwqahath*, is a Hebrew proper noun appearing in [[2 Kings 22:14]] and [[2 Chronicles 34:22]], identifying the father of Shallum, husband of the prophetess Huldah. While the individual's role in the narrative is minor, the name's etymology is rich with theological significance. Derived from `{{H3349}}` (*yiqqāhāh*), its primary meaning is "obedience" or "hearkening." The Strong's entry also notes a textual variant or correction to `{{H8616}}` (*tiqvāh*), meaning "hope." This dual semantic potential underscores two pillars of biblical faith: the necessity of obedience to God's commands and the steadfastness of hope in His promises. Thus, `{{H8445}}`, though a simple personal name, encapsulates a profound theological truth about the interconnectedness of faithful submission and confident expectation in the divine-human relationship.
TRV