Original Word: אָפַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: aphaq
Pronunciation: ah-fak'
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-fak')
Definition: To be strong, to restrain, to contain
Meaning: to contain, 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).

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G430 (ἀντέχω • antechō): To hold against, to withstand, to endure. This Greek term shares the idea of holding back or restraining, similar to the Hebrew אָפַק.
• G1467 (ἐγκρατεύομαι • enkrateuomai): To exercise self-control, to abstain. This Greek word aligns closely with the concept of self-restraint and abstinence found in אָפַק.

In summary, Strong's Hebrew Number 662, אָפַק, encapsulates the idea of self-restraint and containment, both in physical and emotional contexts. It is a term that underscores the virtue of self-control, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

Usage: The verb אָפַק (ʾā·p̄aq) is used in the Hebrew Bible to convey the idea of containing or restraining oneself, often in the context of emotions or actions. It implies a deliberate act of self-control or withholding.

Context: • Occurrences in the Hebrew Bible: The verb אָפַק appears in several passages, illustrating the concept of self-restraint or containment. Notable examples include:
• Genesis 43:31: "Then he washed his face and came out. Regaining his composure, he said, 'Serve the meal.'" Here, Joseph exercises self-control to hide his emotions from his brothers.
• 1 Samuel 13:12: "So I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering." In this context, the term is used to describe Saul's inability to restrain himself from acting prematurely.
• Isaiah 42:14: "I have kept silent from ages past; I have been quiet and restrained myself. But now I will groan like a woman in labor, I will gasp and pant." This passage uses the term metaphorically to describe God's patience and eventual action.
• Theological Implications: The concept of self-restraint is significant in biblical theology, often associated with wisdom and righteousness. The ability to contain one's emotions or actions is seen as a virtue, reflecting a person's alignment with divine will and moral integrity.

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