Word Study for H8624 (תַּקִּיף)

taqqîyph /tak-keef'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) corresponding to תַּקִּיף

Meaning(powerful)

KJV usagemighty, strong.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of taqqîyph — 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 Aramaic word taqqîyph, represented by H8624, is a term meaning mighty or strong. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. This word is used to describe both the immense power of God and the formidable strength of earthly kingdoms and rulers, often in a prophetic context.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H8624 is used to express different forms of power. It is used to praise God, as in the declaration, "how mighty are his wonders!" Daniel 4:3. The word also describes the might of human rulers, such as the "mighty kings" who once ruled over Jerusalem Ezra 4:20. In the prophetic visions of Daniel, it characterizes the immense and terrifying power of empires. The fourth kingdom is described as being "strong as iron" Daniel 2:40, and the fourth beast is portrayed as "dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly" Daniel 7:7. A later vision shows a kingdom that is only "partly strong" Daniel 2:42.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to define the context of what it means to be H8624 mighty or strong:

H6523 parzel (iron): This word for iron is directly used to symbolize strength. The fourth kingdom's power is explicitly compared to this material, as it "shall be strong as iron" Daniel 2:40.
H1855 dᵉqaq (break to pieces): This term describes the destructive action of a strong power. The fourth kingdom, which is strong as iron, "breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things" Daniel 2:40, and the strong beast in Daniel's vision also "devoured and brake in pieces" Daniel 7:7.
H1763 dᵉchal (dreadful): This word, meaning to be formidable or dreadful, is used alongside H8624 to characterize the fear-inducing nature of the fourth beast Daniel 7:7.
H4430 melek (king): This word for king is used to identify the figures who wield power, such as the "mighty kings" over Jerusalem Ezra 4:20.

Theological Significance

The use of H8624 carries significant weight, particularly within the prophecies of Daniel.

Divine vs. Earthly Might: The term is applied to God's "wonders" Daniel 4:3 and also to earthly "kings" Ezra 4:20 and kingdoms Daniel 2:40, creating a contrast between the enduring power of God and the temporal power of humanity.
The Destructive Nature of Power: Earthly kingdoms described as strong are often depicted as instruments of destruction. The fourth kingdom is "strong as iron" precisely because iron "breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things" Daniel 2:40.
The Fragility of Strength: The image of the toes in Daniel's vision reveals that earthly strength can be compromised. The kingdom they represent is "partly strong, and partly broken" H8406, illustrating that human power is not absolute Daniel 2:42.

Summary

In summary, H8624 is a focused Aramaic term for might and strength. While it can describe the awesome power of God's works, its primary use in scripture is to characterize the formidable and often destructive power of earthly empires as seen in the prophetic visions of Daniel and the historical records of Ezra. It highlights a recurring theme: the great strength of human kingdoms, which is ultimately shown to be flawed when compared to the everlasting dominion of God.

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 an adjective across 5 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.

תַקִּיפָה
תַקִּיפִין

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 5 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Daniel (4 verses); never once in the other 37.

Ezra

Daniel

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.