יָקַץ
𐤉𐤒𐤑
yâqats
H3364 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To awake from sleep, to become conscious or alert after having been asleep. The term is used intransitively to indicate the process or act of coming out of sleep or unconsciousness, often with a nuance of sudden or decisive arousal. In some contexts, it carries a figurative sense of becoming mentally or spiritually alert or attentive.
Semantic Range
to awake from sleep, to become conscious or alert, to become mentally or spiritually attentive, to rouse from lethargy or unconsciousness
Root / Etymology
From the root יָקַץ (y-q-ts), which means 'to awaken.' This verb is a derived stem of an ancient root signifying movement out of a dormant or insensitive state. The formation and vocalization point to an older root shared with related Semitic languages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָקַץ occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is always used in the intransitive sense, describing the subject's own process of waking up. It is occasionally used in poetry (such as in the Psalms) and narrative to express literal awaking from sleep, but can also be employed metaphorically for mental or spiritual alertness (for instance, awakening from complacency). The term is distinct from more common Hebrew verbs like קוּם ('to arise') or עוּר ('to rouse, stir oneself'); יָקַץ especially emphasizes the moment of transition from sleep to wakefulness rather than general rising or arousal. English translations usually approximate the sense, though they occasionally overlook the nuance between literal and metaphorical awakenings. In later periods, cognates in Aramaic and other Semitic languages retain a similar meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to awake (intransitive); (be) awake(-d).
Bantu Hebrew
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יקץ (y-q-ts) — to awake, become alert, rouse from sleep
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3364-02 |
וַ/יִּיקַ֣ץ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he awoke | and he awoke | 7 |
H3364-03 |
וַ/יִּ֥יקֶץ | vayiqets | HC/Vqw3ms |
awoke | he awoke | 1 |
H3364-04 |
וְ/יִקָֽץ | veyiqats | HC/Vqi3ms |
and will awaken | and he will awake | 1 |
H3364-01 |
וָ/אִיקָֽץ | vaiqats | HC/Vqw1cs |
and I awoke | and I awoke | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3364-03 |
Genesis 9:24 | וַ/יִּ֥יקֶץ | vayiqets | HC/Vqw3ms |
awoke | he awoke |
H3364-02 |
Genesis 28:16 | וַ/יִּיקַ֣ץ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
woke up | and he awoke |
H3364-02 |
Genesis 41:4 | וַ/יִּיקַ֖ץ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he awoke | and he awoke |
H3364-02 |
Genesis 41:7 | וַ/יִּיקַ֥ץ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he awoke | and he awoke |
H3364-01 |
Genesis 41:21 | וָ/אִיקָֽץ | vaiqats | HC/Vqw1cs |
and I awoke | and I awoke |
H3364-02 |
Judges 16:14 | וַ/יִּיקַץ֙ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he awoke | and he awoke |
H3364-02 |
Judges 16:20 | וַ/יִּקַ֣ץ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he awoke | and he awoke |
H3364-02 |
1 Kings 3:15 | וַ/יִּקַ֥ץ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
And he awoke | and he awoke |
H3364-04 |
1 Kings 18:27 | וְ/יִקָֽץ | veyiqats | HC/Vqi3ms |
and will awaken | and he will awake |
H3364-02 |
Psalms 78:65 | וַ/יִּקַ֖ץ | vayiqats | HC/Vqw3ms |
Then YHWH awoke | and he awoke |