Original Word: אָפַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aphaq
Pronunciation: ah-fak'
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-fak')
KJV: force (oneself), restrain
NASB: controlled, restrained, control, forced, restrain
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to contain
2. (reflexively) to abstain

force oneself, restrain

A primitive root; to contain, i.e. (reflex.) Abstain -- force (oneself), restrain.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to hold, be strong
NASB Translation
control (1), controlled (2), forced (1), restrain (1), restrained (2).

[אָפַק] verb hold, be strong (so Thes who compare Arabic excel = multum valuit; MV compare also ) — only

Hithpa`el Perfect3plural הִתְאַמָּ֑קוּ Isaiah 63:15; Imperfect וַיִּתְאַפַק Genesis 43:21; Esther 5:10; 2masculine singular תִּתְאַמַּק Isaiah 64:11; אֶתְאַמָּ֑ק Isaiah 42:14; וָאֶתְאַמַּק 1 Samuel 13:12 —

1 force, compel oneself 1 Samuel 13:12.

2 restrain oneself, refrain Genesis 43:31; Genesis 45:1; Isaiah 42:14; Esther 5:10; of ׳י Isaiah 64:11; of Yahweh's compassion Isaiah 63:15, מֵעֶיךָ וְרַחֲמֶיךָ אֵלַי הִתְּאַמָּ֑קוּ (almost passive).

Entry: אָפַק – The Discipline of Restraint

Overview of Scriptural Occurrences

The verb appears seven times, each portraying restraint—whether emotional, moral, or judicial—exercised by humankind or by the LORD: Genesis 43:31; Genesis 45:1; 1 Samuel 13:12; Esther 5:10; Isaiah 42:14; Isaiah 63:15; Isaiah 64:12.

Joseph: Emotional Mastery in Trying Providence

Twice the word frames Joseph’s struggle to govern deep emotion. In Genesis 43:31, having wept over Benjamin, “he washed his face and came back out. Regaining his composure, he said, ‘Serve the meal.’” The patriarch’s self-control preserves his God-given plan to test his brothers. Genesis 45:1 records the moment restraint finally breaks: “Then Joseph could no longer restrain himself.” His controlled delay allowed repentance to reach its full fruit in his brothers (cf. Genesis 44:33–34). The narrative presents restraint as a servant of redemption—emotion is not suppressed forever, but managed until the proper time for reconciliation.

Saul: Compelled Disobedience

In 1 Samuel 13:12 Saul recounts, “So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” Here restraint is inverted; the king forces himself to act presumptuously, breaching priestly boundaries. The episode illustrates that true restraint is obedience to divine order, whereas self-willed compulsion is spiritual unrestraint leading to loss of dynasty (1 Samuel 13:13–14).

Haman: The Veneer of Political Restraint

Esther 5:10 notes, “Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.” His temporary composure hides murderous intent. The text contrasts external restraint with an unrestrained heart, demonstrating that control of outward demeanor without inward righteousness is ephemeral. The coming chapters expose Haman’s collapse and the vindication of God’s covenant people.

Divine Restraint: Patience and Judgment

Isaiah employs the verb three times, shifting focus from human discipline to the LORD’s deliberate withholding of immediate action.

Isaiah 42:14: “I have kept silent from ages past; I have been still and restrained Myself. But now I will groan like a woman in labor.” The imagery depicts the Creator’s patience toward a rebellious world, a silence destined to end in decisive intervention for justice and renewal.

Isaiah 63:15 laments, “Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us.” The remnant perceives covenant blessings restrained because of national sin.

Isaiah 64:12 pleads, “After all this, O LORD, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?” The intercessors recognize that divine restraint, if prolonged, would leave judgment unchecked; thus they appeal for mercy to break forth.

Together these verses reveal that the LORD’s restraint is neither indifference nor impotence but a purposeful interval granting opportunity for repentance before eventual salvation or judgment (cf. Romans 2:4).

Theological Themes

1. Providence Timed by Restraint

Joseph’s account reinforces that God-directed restraint advances redemptive goals unseen in the moment (Romans 8:28).

2. Moral Government of the Heart

Self-control is foundational to righteous leadership. Where it is absent (Saul), authority erodes; where present (Joseph), blessing abounds.

3. External Versus Internal Restraint

Haman’s conduct warns that mere political calculation cannot substitute for a heart submitted to God (Proverbs 16:9).

4. Divine Forbearance and Eschatology

Isaiah links divine restraint with end-time deliverance. The same patience that withholds wrath now will one day give way to universal justice (2 Peter 3:9–10).

Ministry Significance

• Pastoral counseling may draw on Joseph’s example to encourage believers wrestling with powerful emotions; restraint can serve higher reconciliation.
• Preachers addressing leadership can contrast Saul and Joseph to highlight self-control as a qualification for spiritual oversight (1 Timothy 3:2).
• Evangelistic appeals may reference Isaiah’s portrait of divine patience to urge timely repentance while grace is yet restrained rather than withdrawn.
• Intercessors find language for lament and petition in Isaiah 63–64, asking God to withhold nothing of His compassion toward His people.

Practical Applications

• Cultivate spiritual disciplines—prayer, fasting, Scripture meditation—that train the soul in restraint, aligning desires with God’s timing.
• Examine motivations: is restraint governed by submission to the Lord or by fear of man, as in Haman?
• Teach on the balance between patience and action—Christians wait for the Spirit’s prompting yet remain ready to act when “the fullness of time” arrives.

Conclusion

אָפַק weaves through Scripture as a quiet yet potent reminder that both God and His people exercise restraint for redemptive ends. Whether controlling tears, tempering premature sacrifice, exposing hollow political theater, or delaying judgment, this verb underscores the wisdom of waiting on the LORD whose measured silence will ultimately give way to perfect justice and mercy.

אֶתְאַפָּ֑ק אתאפק הִתְאַפָּֽקוּ׃ התאפקו׃ וַיִּ֨תְאַפַּ֔ק וַיִּתְאַפַּ֣ק וָֽאֶתְאַפַּ֔ק ואתאפק ויתאפק לְהִתְאַפֵּ֗ק להתאפק תִתְאַפַּ֖ק תתאפק ’eṯ’appāq ’eṯ·’ap·pāq etapPak hiṯ’appāqū hiṯ·’ap·pā·qū hitapPaku lə·hiṯ·’ap·pêq ləhiṯ’appêq lehitapPek ṯiṯ’appaq ṯiṯ·’ap·paq titapPak vaetapPak vaiYitapPak wā’eṯ’appaq wā·’eṯ·’ap·paq way·yiṯ·’ap·paq wayyiṯ’appaqInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts