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תּוֹכֵחָה

𐤕𐤅𐤊𐤇𐤄

tôwkêchâh

H8433 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יכח to decide, prove, judge, reprove, argue

Definition

Rebuke, reproof, or corrective argument delivered with the intention to bring about change or improvement, often with a sense of logical reasoning or constructive criticism. The term emphasizes the rational and verbal nature of the correction, rather than physical punishment. In various contexts, it can also connote instruction, admonition, or an articulated case made against someone to demonstrate their error.

Semantic Range

reproof, rebuke, correction, rational argument, demonstration, refutation, admonition, evidence presented in a case

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root יכח (yakach), which primarily means 'to decide, prove, judge, reprove' and carries the sense of arguing a case or making something evident, often through reasoned argument or correction. תּוֹכֵחָה is a noun form indicating 'reproof' or 'rebuke'—a result or expression of this action. The related form תּוֹכַחַת also appears with identical meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, תּוֹכֵחָה generally refers to verbal reproof or correction, especially when one party points out another's error or wrongdoing using rational argument, with the intention of reform rather than mere condemnation. It often appears in wisdom literature (Proverbs), where it is linked with learning and accepting correction as marks of the wise (e.g., Proverbs 1:23, 1:25, 10:17). In prophetic literature, it can characterize the prophets' words as rebuke for unjust behavior (Isaiah 2:4; Micah 6:2). The nuance is typically verbal and rational—not simply an emotional reprimand but a sustained reasoned case. In later Hebrew and in the Septuagint, the term is often rendered as ἔλεγχος (elenchos), signaling argument, proof, or refutation, and from the post-exilic and Second Temple period onward, it sometimes stands at the root of the Rabbinic concept of tochechah (rebuke as an obligation within the community). English translations (e.g., 'rebuke,' 'reproof,' 'correction') do not always convey the logical, reasoned, and dialogical nuance of the Hebrew term. Other Hebrew words such as גָּעַר (to rebuke harshly, often with emotional force) or נָזַף (to scold, reprimand) focus more on the emotional or authoritative aspects of rebuke, while תּוֹכֵחָה highlights the verbal, reasoned element.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

and תּוֹכַחַת; from יָכַח; chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence); argument, [idiom] chastened, correction, reasoning, rebuke, reproof, [idiom] be (often) reproved.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יכח (y-k-ḥ) — decide, prove, judge, reprove, argue

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3198 יָכַח to bring correction

Word Forms

13 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8433-05 תּוֹכַ֣חַת tokhachat HNcfsa reproof reasoned reproof 8
H8433-07 תּוֹכָחֽוֹת tokhachot HNcfpa of reproofs reasoned reproofs 3
H8433-06 תּוֹכַחְתִּֽ/י tokhacheti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my argument my corrective argument 3
H8433-12 וְ֝/תוֹכַחְתִּ֗/י vetokhacheti HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my rebuke and my reasoned reproof 2
H8433-09 תּֽ֝וֹכֵחֹ֗ת tokhechot HNcfpa punishments reasoned reproofs 2
H8433-13 וְ/תוֹכֵחָ֛ה vetokhechah HC/Ncfsa and of rebuke and reasoned reproof 2
H8433-11 וְ֝/תוֹכַ֗חַת vetokhachat HC/Ncfsa and reproof and reasoned reproof 2
H8433-04 לְֽ/ת֫וֹכַחְתִּ֥/י letokhacheti HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs to my reproof to my reasoned reproof 1
H8433-10 וּ/בְ/תֹכְח֣וֹת uvetokhechot HC/R/Ncfpc and-in-rebukes and in reproofs-of 1
H8433-03 בְּ/תוֹכְח֖וֹת betokhechot HR/Ncfpc with-rebukes in corrective reproofs of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

28 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8433-13 2 Kings 19:3 וְ/תוֹכֵחָ֛ה vetokhechah HC/Ncfsa and of rebuke and reasoned reproof
H8433-13 Isaiah 37:3 וְ/תוֹכֵחָ֛ה vetokhechah HC/Ncfsa and of rebuke and reasoned reproof
H8433-10 Ezekiel 5:15 וּ/בְ/תֹכְח֣וֹת uvetokhechot HC/R/Ncfpc and-in-rebukes and in reproofs-of
H8433-03 Ezekiel 25:17 בְּ/תוֹכְח֖וֹת betokhechot HR/Ncfpc with-rebukes in corrective reproofs of
H8433-08 Hosea 5:9 תּֽוֹכֵחָ֑ה tokhechah HNcfsa of rebuke reasoned reproof
H8433-06 Habakkuk 2:1 תּוֹכַחְתִּֽ/י tokhacheti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my reproof my corrective argument
H8433-07 Psalms 38:15 תּוֹכָחֽוֹת tokhachot HNcfpa reproofs reasoned reproofs
H8433-02 Psalms 39:12 בְּֽ/תוֹכָ֘ח֤וֹת betokhachot HR/Ncfpa in-your-rebukes in corrective reproofs
H8433-12 Psalms 73:14 וְ֝/תוֹכַחְתִּ֗/י vetokhacheti HC/Ncfsc/Sp1cs and my rebuke and my reasoned reproof
H8433-09 Psalms 149:7 תּֽ֝וֹכֵחֹ֗ת tokhechot HNcfpa punishments reasoned reproofs
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