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יָכֹל

𐤉𐤊𐤋

yâkôl

H3201 verb

SILEX Entry

Root יכול to be able, have capacity, endure, prevail

Definition

To be able, to have capacity, power, or ability to do or accomplish something. The word is used both in reference to physical capability and mental, legal, or moral ability, including the notion of being able to endure, withstand, or prevail in various situations. It may refer to overcoming opposition or obstacles, prevailing in a contest or struggle, or possessing the strength necessary for a task.

Semantic Range

to be able, can, could, be capable, have power, be permitted, endure, sustain, overcome, prevail, attain, succeed

Root / Etymology

From the root יכל, which is associated with ability, capacity, strength, or power, especially in the sense of being capable of (successfully) doing, enduring, or achieving something. The verbal forms reflect states of ability or the act of prevailing.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Israelite texts, יָכֹל is used across the biblical period in a broad range of contexts, from descriptions of God's limitless ability ('is anything too hard for YHWH?') to human incapacity ('they could not prevail'). Its usage is not restricted to physical strength but includes intellectual, strategic, emotional, legal, or moral capacity. In legal passages, it can refer to permissibility ('may'), but the core idea is always the presence or absence of real capacity or capability rather than legal right. The term is contrasted with words like יכולת (noun form) and similar verbs meaning 'to be strong' or 'to endure', though יָכֹל emphasizes the ability inherent in the subject rather than the outcome or mere endurance. The standard English translation as 'can' or 'able' generally captures the main sense, but in narratives, it often carries the nuance of prevailing against odds or achieving despite obstacles.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (fuller) יָכוֹל; a primitive root; to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might); be able, any at all (ways), attain, can (away with, (-not)), could, endure, might, overcome, have power, prevail, still, suffer.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יכל (y-k-l) — ability, capacity, endurance, prevailing

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1964 הֵיכָל in the grand sanctuary-hall
H1965 הֵיכַל in the grand palace-temple
H3081 יְהוּכַל YHWH is able
H3116 יוּכַל and Yukal
H3202 יְכֵל he was able

Word Forms

25 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3201-21 יוּכַ֣ל yukhal HVqi3ms able he is able 39
H3201-08 אוּכַל֙ ukhal HVqi1cs I am able I am able 33
H3201-15 יָֽכְל֖וּ yakhelu HVqp3cp they could they were able 28
H3201-05 תּוּכַ֖ל tukhal HVqi2ms you can you are able 25
H3201-16 יָכֹל֙ yakhol HVqp3ms he could he was able 14
H3201-23 יֻכְל֜וּ yukhelu HVqi3mp they will be able they will be able 11
H3201-04 נוּכַ֛ל nukhal HVqi1cp we are able we are able 11
H3201-18 יָכֹ֑לוּ yakholu HVqp3cp they could they were able 3
H3201-17 יָכֹ֑לְתִּי yakholeti HVqp1cs I have prevailed I was able 3
H3201-09 וַ/תּוּכָֽל vatukhal HC/Vqw2ms and have prevailed and you were able 3

Occurrences in Scripture

194 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3201-15 Genesis 13:6 יָֽכְל֖וּ yakhelu HVqp3cp they were able they were able
H3201-21 Genesis 13:16 יוּכַ֣ל yukhal HVqi3ms can be able he is able
H3201-05 Genesis 15:5 תּוּכַ֖ל tukhal HVqi2ms you are able you are able
H3201-08 Genesis 19:19 אוּכַל֙ ukhal HVqi1cs can I am able
H3201-08 Genesis 19:22 אוּכַל֙ ukhal HVqi1cs I can I am able
H3201-04 Genesis 24:50 נוּכַ֛ל nukhal HVqi1cp we can we are able
H3201-04 Genesis 29:8 נוּכַל֒ nukhal HVqi1cp we can we are able
H3201-17 Genesis 30:8 יָכֹ֑לְתִּי yakholeti HVqp1cs I have prevailed I was able
H3201-08 Genesis 31:35 אוּכַל֙ ukhal HVqi1cs I can I am able
H3201-16 Genesis 32:26 יָכֹל֙ yakhol HVqp3ms he could he was able
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