תַּכְלִית
𐤕𐤊𐤋𐤉𐤕
taklîyth
H8503 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State or point of completion, limit, or endpoint; refers to the utmost extent of something, whether spatial, temporal, or qualitative—i.e., the furthest boundary, the finishing point, or the state of perfection/completeness.
Semantic Range
completion, end, extremity, utmost limit, boundary, perfection (in the sense of completeness)
Root / Etymology
Formed from the root כלה (k-l-h), which conveys the idea of 'completion,' 'finishing,' or 'coming to an end.' The noun תַּכְלִית (taklîyth) is derived via the prefix ת- and the abstract/collective suffix -ית, producing a noun indicating 'that which is complete' or 'the state of completion/limit.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תַּכְלִית is used primarily in poetic or wisdom literature (e.g. Psalms, Job), typically to denote a limit or extremity, such as the farthest reaches of the earth or the ultimate limit of human knowledge or lifespan. It can also convey the idea of perfection in the sense of completeness. While later translations, including some English versions, sometimes render it as 'perfection,' the Hebrew term does not primarily refer to moral or ethical perfection, but to the idea of completion or the farthest point attainable. The semantic boundary can include both spatial and abstract/application, such as the end of time or the completion of a matter. In contrast, related terms like קֵץ (qēts) generally denote a more temporal 'end' or 'termination point,' while תַּכְלִית can encompass spatial, temporal, or qualitative finality. Over time, especially in post-biblical and medieval Hebrew, the term acquired technical senses in philosophy and literature to mean 'purpose' or 'goal,' building on the concept of an intended endpoint, though this is not the primary meaning in biblical contexts.
Translation Consistency
'End' is the most natural, versatile English word covering completion, endpoint, limit, purpose, and the state of being finished. It matches common biblical usage (Hebrew תַּכְלִית / Greek telos) and will render idiomatically across spatial, temporal, and qualitative senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from כָּלָה; completion; by implication, an extremity; end, perfect(-ion).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
כלה (k-l-h) — complete, finish, bring to an end, be consumed
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3615 | כָּלָה | I will bring to completion |
| H3616 | כָּלֶה | and wasting-away ones |
| H3617 | כָּלָה | completion |
| H3618 | כַּלָּה | completed woman |
| H3622 | כְּלוּהַי | Yah Completes |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8503-01 |
תַּכְלִ֣ית | takhelit | HNcfsc |
boundary | completion-point | completion-point | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8503-01 |
Psalms 139:22 | תַּכְלִ֣ית | takhelit | HNcfsc |
perfect | completion-point | completion-point |
H8503-01 |
Job 11:7 | תַּכְלִ֖ית | takhelit | HNcfsc |
perfection | completion-point | completion-point |
H8503-01 |
Job 26:10 | תַּכְלִ֖ית | takhelit | HNcfsc |
boundary | completion-point | completion-point |
H8503-01 |
Job 28:3 | תַּ֭כְלִית | takhelit | HNcfsa |
farthest limit | completion-point | completion-point |
H8503-01 |
Nehemiah 3:21 | תַּכְלִ֖ית | takhelit | HNcfsc |
the end | completion-point | completion-point |