Original Word: תְּקוֹעִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Tqow`iy
Pronunciation: teh-KOH-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (tek-o-ee')
KJV: Tekoite
NASB: Tekoite, Tekoa, Tekoites
Word Origin: [patronymically from H8620 (תְּקוַֹע - Tekoa)]

1. a Tekoite or inhabitant of Tekoah

Tekoite

Or Tqo iy {tek-o-ee'}; patronymically from Tqowa'; a Tekoite or inhabitant of Tekoah -- Tekoite.

see HEBREW Tqowa'

Word Origin
from Teqoa
Definition
inhab. of Tekoa
NASB Translation
Tekoa (2), Tekoite (3), Tekoites (2).

תְּקוֺעִי, תְּקֹעִי adjective, of a people of foregoing: ׳הַתּ 2 Samuel 23:26 = 1 Chronicles 11:28; 1 Chronicles 27:9; feminine הָאִשָּׁה הַתְּקֹעִית 2 Samuel 14:4,9; plural as substantive הַתְּקוֺעִים Nehemiah 3:5,27.

Geographical and Historical Setting

Tekoa stood on a ridge ten miles south of Jerusalem and five miles south of Bethlehem, overlooking the wilderness of Judah. Fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:5-6), it produced olive oil and sheep and became home to the prophet Amos (Amos 1:1). Those identified as “Tekoite” carried the town’s reputation for keen judgment, courage, and industriousness.

Occurrences and Literary Distribution

Seven Old-Testament references to the adjective תְּקוֹעִי (“Tekoite”) appear in three historical settings:

• United-monarchy narratives (2 Samuel 14; 2 Samuel 23; 1 Chronicles 11)
• Davidic administrative lists (1 Chronicles 27)
• Post-exilic restoration under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3)

Notable Individuals and Episodes

1. The Wise Woman of Tekoa — 2 Samuel 14:4-20

Joab recruits an unnamed “wise woman” to persuade David to reconcile with Absalom. Her appeal, “God devises ways so that the banished one may not be cast out from Him” (14:14), combines pastoral insight with theological depth, shifting the king’s heart and foreshadowing divine reconciliation in Christ.

2. Ira and Helez the Tekoites — 2 Samuel 23:26; 1 Chronicles 11:28

Counted among “David’s mighty men,” Ira son of Ikkesh and Helez the Pelonite exemplify Tekoa’s fighting spirit and loyalty to God’s anointed ruler.

3. Ira son of Iddo — 1 Chronicles 27:9

Commander of the sixth monthly division of twenty-four thousand troops, Ira demonstrates Tekoa’s capacity to supply competent national leadership.

4. The Tekoite Builders — Nehemiah 3:5, 27

While their nobles “would not put their shoulders to the work,” the men of Tekoa not only repaired one section of Jerusalem’s wall but later volunteered for an additional stretch, typifying selfless service amid social apathy.

Theological Themes

• Wisdom and Mediation: Tekoa’s wise woman models bold intercession that reconciles estranged parties, anticipating Christ’s mediatorial work (Hebrews 7:25).
• Valor and Loyalty: Tekoite warriors illustrate courage surrendered to God’s purposes rather than personal glory.
• Faithful Labor: Wall-building Tekoites demonstrate how ordinary believers advance covenant restoration despite indifference from those of higher status.
• God’s Use of the Marginal: A frontier village supplies pivotal agents in royal courts and national revival, confirming that “God chose the lowly things of the world… to nullify the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:28).

Ministry Applications

• Intercede with prophetic compassion for reconciliation within families, churches, and communities.
• Cultivate servant-hearted leadership; small communities can yield mighty warriors and capable commanders.
• Engage laypeople in kingdom projects; dedicated volunteers often outperform apathetic elites.
• Stand ready across generations—Tekoa’s influence spans David’s reign to post-exilic Jerusalem, reminding believers that every era needs fresh Tekoites.

Summary

Whether through eloquent advocacy, battlefield valor, administrative oversight, or tireless reconstruction, the Tekoites embody wisdom, courage, and perseverance in service to the Lord. Their legacy urges believers from all backgrounds to offer voice, strength, and skill to God’s unfolding redemptive mission.

הַתְּקֹעִ֖ים הַתְּקֹעִית֙ הַתְּקוֹעִ֑י הַתְּקוֹעִ֑ים הַתְּקוֹעִ֔י הַתְּקוֹעִֽי׃ הַתְּקוֹעִית֙ התקועי התקועי׃ התקועים התקועית התקעים התקעית hat·tə·qō·‘îm hat·tə·qō·‘îṯ hat·tə·qō·w·‘î hat·tə·qō·w·‘îm hat·tə·qō·w·‘îṯ hattekoI hattekoIm hattekoIt hattəqō‘îm hattəqō‘îṯ hattəqōw‘î hattəqōw‘îm hattəqōw‘îṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts