Lexical Summary zaqaph: To lift up, to raise, to set up Original Word: זָקַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance raise up A primitive root; to life, i.e. (figuratively) comfort -- raise (up). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to raise up NASB Translation raises (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [זָקַף] verb (late) raise up (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic זְקַף, ![]() ![]() Qal Participle active and only figurative of ׳יs dealing with prostrate men: — וְזוֺקֵף לְכָלהַֿכְּפוּפִים Psalm 145:14 ("" סוֺמֵךְ); זֹקֵף כְּפוּפִים Psalm 146:8 ׳י raiseth up prostrate ones. [זְקַף] verb raise, lift up (ᵑ7 Syriac; compare Biblical Hebrew (late; rare)); — Pe`al Passive participle וּזְקִיף יִתְמְחֵא עֲל֑וֺהִי Ezra 6:11 and, lifted up, he be fastened upon it (sc, the timber erected; red. probably to impalement, see Ryle Berthol). Topical Lexicon Usage in Scripture The verb זָקַף appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both in the Psalter, and each time in the Hifil stem with Yahweh as subject. In Psalm 145:14 the psalmist declares, “The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down”. Psalm 146:8 adds, “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts those who are weighed down; the LORD loves the righteous”. In both contexts the verb paints a vivid picture of God stooping to raise those who can no longer stand under their own strength, turning humiliation into dignity and oppression into freedom. Theological Themes 1. Divine Compassion. The immediate link between God’s lifting and His covenant name underscores His personal involvement with the lowly (compare Exodus 3:7-8; Isaiah 57:15). Historical Setting Psalms 145 and 146 arise from the post-exilic worship life of Israel, when the community had tasted exile, return, and ongoing foreign dominance. The vocabulary of lifting would have resonated with people still “bowed down” by economic hardship and political vulnerability. By praising God as the One who raises, the psalmists reaffirm the nation’s identity and hope, anchoring it in God’s proven faithfulness rather than shifting geopolitical realities. Connection to the Ministry of Jesus Christ The Gospel writers repeatedly portray Jesus embodying the action expressed by זָקַף. He literally straightened a woman bent over for eighteen years (Luke 13:10-13), lifted the lame (Mark 2:1-12), and spiritually raised sinners from shame (Luke 7:36-50). Peter proclaims that God “raised Him up” (Acts 2:24), the ultimate validation that the One who lifts the bowed down has conquered even death. Thus the Old Testament verb finds its fullest fulfillment in the resurrection and ongoing ministry of Christ. Pastoral and Ministry Application • Comfort for the Afflicted. Believers weighed down by guilt, grief, or injustice can look to the Lord who still “lifts” His people. Related Concepts and Texts for Study Psalm 113:7-8; Isaiah 40:29-31; Micah 7:8; Matthew 11:28-30; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6. Summary זקף is a small verb with expansive significance: it portrays the Lord as the One who reaches into the dust to set people upright. From the Psalms through the ministry of Jesus to the hope of final redemption, Scripture consistently displays God’s heart to lift what is bowed, assuring worshipers in every era that no weight is too heavy for His gracious hand. Forms and Transliterations וְ֝זוֹקֵ֗ף וזוקף זֹקֵ֣ף זקף vezoKef wə·zō·w·qêp̄ wəzōwqêp̄ zō·qêp̄ zoKef zōqêp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 145:14 HEB: לְכָל־ הַנֹּפְלִ֑ים וְ֝זוֹקֵ֗ף לְכָל־ הַכְּפוּפִֽים׃ NAS: who fall And raises up all KJV: all that fall, and raiseth up all [those that be] bowed down. INT: all fall and raises all are bowed Psalm 146:8 2 Occurrences |