### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **tôqeph**, represented by `{{H8633}}`, denotes might or positiveness, and is defined as **authority, power, strength**. It appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible, consistently pointing to a validated or official form of power, whether royal, military, or legal.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H8633}}` describes the exercise of concrete power. It is used to characterize the military might of a ruler preparing for conquest, who intends to "enter with the **strength** of his whole kingdom" [[Daniel 11:17]]. The term also refers to the documented deeds of a monarch, with the "acts of his **power**" being recorded in the official chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia [[Esther 10:2]]. Finally, it signifies legal or decreed power, as when Queen Esther and Mordecai wrote "with all **authority**" to establish the second letter of Purim [[Esther 9:29]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the context in which `{{H8633}}` is used:
* `{{H1369}}` **gᵉbûwrâh** (might): This term, defined as force, valor, or power, is used in parallel with **tôqeph** to describe the full extent of a king's capabilities, as seen in the "acts of his power and of his **might**" [[Esther 10:2]]. It emphasizes the physical or martial aspect of a ruler's strength.
* `{{H4438}}` **malkûwth** (kingdom): Meaning a rule or dominion, this word establishes the domain over which **tôqeph** is exercised. The "strength" described in [[Daniel 11:17]] is specifically that of a "whole **kingdom**," linking the concept of power directly to a sovereign realm.
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H8633}}` lies in its application to human systems of power and governance.
* **Royal Power:** The term is explicitly tied to the strength and actions of earthly kings. It encompasses both the military force of a kingdom [[Daniel 11:17]] and the recorded acts that define a monarch's reign [[Esther 10:2]].
* **Written Authority:** A key aspect of **tôqeph** is its connection to decreed or documented power. Esther and Mordecai exercise their **authority** through a written letter, giving their command a formal and binding status [[Esther 9:29]].
* **Manifestation of Strength:** Unlike abstract power, **tôqeph** is consistently presented as a force that is actively used. It is seen in the "acts" of a king and the strategic deployment of a kingdom's "strength" to achieve a specific goal.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8633}}` is a specific and potent term for validated power within a structured domain. Although rare, its occurrences in Daniel and Esther clearly define it as the official strength of a kingdom, the recorded might of a king, and the legal authority to issue a binding decree. It illustrates a form of power that is not merely potential but is actively and formally exercised within the spheres of government and law.
TRV