Original Word: תַּחָרָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tacharah
Pronunciation: tah-khah-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (takh-aw-raw')
KJV: close, contend
Word Origin: [a facitious root from H2734 (חָרָה - burned) through the idea of the heat of jealousy]

1. to vie with a rival

habergeon

A facitious root from charah through the idea of the heat of jealousy; to vie with a rival -- close, contend.

see HEBREW charah

Word Origin
the same as charah, q.v.

Meaning and Semantic Range

תַּחָרָה carries the idea of contending, competing, or excelling in a vigorous way. It evokes imagery drawn from athletic racing and rivalry, yet it also embraces moral and leadership dimensions—pressing on, striving to surpass ordinary limits, and proving oneself under pressure.

Occurrences

1. Jeremiah 12:5 – “If you have raced with men on foot and they have wearied you, how can you compete with horses?”.
2. Jeremiah 22:15 – “Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.”.

Literary Context

Both instances appear in prophetic confrontations. Jeremiah 12:5 is part of the LORD’s answer to the prophet’s complaint, challenging him to greater endurance. Jeremiah 22:15 is directed at King Jehoiakim, exposing a hollow pursuit of grandeur without the ethical excellence that characterized his father Josiah. Thus, in each setting תַּחָרָה frames a contrast: mere human capability versus divine expectation, and external achievement versus inner righteousness.

Historical Background

Jeremiah ministered during Judah’s final decades before the Babylonian exile. Political intrigue, economic oppression, and idolatry bred complacency and superficial piety. The call to “compete with horses” reminded hearers that the coming trials would dwarf present hardships. Likewise, the rebuke to “excel in cedar” challenged a king who invested in opulent building projects while neglecting covenant justice. In both cases תַּחָרָה exposes the inadequacy of self-reliance when divine judgment looms.

Theological Insights

1. God sets the standard of true excellence. External accomplishments (cedar-panelled palaces) are empty apart from justice and righteousness (Jeremiah 22:15–16).
2. Present trials are preparatory. Enduring lesser tests trains believers for greater ones (Jeremiah 12:5; compare 2 Timothy 2:3–5).
3. Righteous striving depends on the LORD’s strength. Jeremiah’s capacity to “compete with horses” would ultimately flow from divine empowerment, foreshadowing New Covenant grace that enables believers to “run with endurance the race set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Pastoral and Discipleship Applications

• Spiritual formation: Small daily disciplines ready the soul for larger spiritual conflicts.
• Leadership: Authentic greatness is measured by justice, mercy, and humility, not by outward success.
• Perseverance: Congregations facing cultural pressure can draw courage from Jeremiah’s call to outpace horses, trusting the Spirit’s power (Zechariah 4:6).

Homiletical Suggestions

• “Footmen Today, Horses Tomorrow” – a sermon on preparing for escalating challenges.
• “Cedar or Character?” – contrasting Jehoiakim’s vanity with Josiah’s integrity as a model for Christian leadership.
• “The Contest of the Kingdom” – linking Jeremiah 12:5 with Paul’s athletic metaphors in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27.

Echoes in the New Testament

Paul adopts similar imagery: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Such passages resonate with תַּחָרָה by framing Christian life as an ongoing contest requiring divine grace, disciplined effort, and a vision greater than temporal success.

Summary

תַּחָרָה confronts complacency and superficiality, urging God’s people to a higher plane of perseverance and moral excellence. Whether addressing a prophet wearied by opposition or a king dazzled by cedar, Scripture uses this term to remind every generation that true greatness is found in faithful, Spirit-enabled striving after the purposes of God.

מְתַחֲרֶ֣ה מתחרה תְּתַֽחֲרֶ֖ה תתחרה mə·ṯa·ḥă·reh metachaReh məṯaḥăreh tə·ṯa·ḥă·reh tetachaReh təṯaḥărehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts