Word Study for H8474 (תַּחָרָה)

tachârâh /takh-aw-raw'/ Ask about this word

Roota facitious root from חָרָה through the idea of the heat of jealousy

Meaningto vie with a rival

KJV usageclose, contend.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tachârâh — 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 tachârâh, represented by H8474, is a term used to describe rivalry and contention. Its definition, "to vie with a rival; close, contend," is derived from the idea of the heat of jealousy. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, and in both instances, it is used to frame a challenging question about competition and endurance.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The word H8474 appears exclusively in the book of Jeremiah to illustrate a point through rhetorical questions. In one instance, God asks the prophet, "If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses?" Jeremiah 12:5. Here, the act of contending is presented as a greater challenge that exposes the limits of human strength. In another context, a king is rebuked with the question, "Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar?" Jeremiah 22:15. This use of the word points to a misguided rivalry based on opulent display rather than on righteous leadership.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the nature of the rivalry described by H8474:

H7323 rûwts (to run): a primitive root meaning to run or rush. Its use in conjunction with H8474 establishes a metaphor for spiritual and physical endurance, questioning how one can contend in a greater race if they are already exhausted by a lesser one Jeremiah 12:5.
H5483 çûwç (horse): This word for horse symbolizes a superior and more powerful opponent. The challenge to contend with horses frames the rivalry as an overwhelming test of strength and preparedness Jeremiah 12:5.
H730 ʼerez (cedar): This term for a cedar tree, a symbol of strength and luxury, becomes the object of rivalry. A king's effort to contend or "close thyself in cedar" suggests a competition centered on material wealth and status Jeremiah 22:15.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H8474 is found in its use as a moral and spiritual diagnostic.

Misplaced Ambition: The word is used to critique rivalry that is focused on the wrong things. A king's ambition to contend through luxury with cedar H730 is contrasted with his father's legacy of doing judgment H4941 and justice H6666, establishing a clear standard for righteous rule Jeremiah 22:15.
A Test of Endurance: In Jeremiah, the challenge to contend with horses H5483 after being wearied H3811 by footmen H7273 serves as a metaphor for spiritual readiness. It implies that God's servants must be prepared for escalating trials of faith.
The Standard for Leadership: The concept of contending is implicitly set against the proper duties of a leader. Instead of vying with rivals in opulence, a true king is defined by actions like doing justice and ensuring the well-being of the people, just as the former king did who ate and drank and it was well with him Jeremiah 22:15.

Summary

In summary, H8474 is a rare but potent word that encapsulates the idea of competitive striving. Through its use in Jeremiah, it cautions against the pride inherent in worldly rivalries and serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual endurance required to face life's greater challenges. It forces a reflection on the true nature of one's contests, contrasting futile competition with the pursuit of justice and righteousness.

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 verb across 2 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.

תְּתַחֲרֶה
מְתַחֲרֶה

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

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

2 verses, all in Jeremiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.