תָּקַע

From the study of Psalm 47:1

Range of meaning

tāqaʿ means to thrust or drive something with force: a tent peg into the ground (Judg 4:21), a spear, a blast on the ram's horn (the shofar blast is called a təqîʿâ). With kap̄ ("palm") it can mean (1) striking hands to seal a pledge or guarantee (Prov 6:1; 17:18; 22:26), (2) clapping in gloating or contempt over someone's downfall (Nah 3:19), or (3) clapping in acclaim, as here. Other verbs share the gesture: nākâ kap̄ for clapping at Joash's coronation (2 Kgs 11:12), and māḥāʾ kap̄ for rivers and trees clapping (Ps 98:8; Isa 55:12).

Against the English

"Clap your hands" is accurate. A modern reader, though, may picture rhythmic clapping along with music. The Hebrew picture is a forceful public gesture of acclaim, the noise a crowd makes when a king is proclaimed.

Used elsewhere in the period

At the coronation of Joash, "they clapped their hands and said, 'Long live the king!'" (2 Kgs 11:12). In ancient Near Eastern royal ceremonies, the crowd's noise (clapping, shouting, horns) publicly ratified a new king. The same verb tāqaʿ is used for blowing the shofar when kings were proclaimed (1 Kgs 1:34, 39; 2 Kgs 9:13).

From the study of Judges 6:34

Range of meaning

Tāqaʿ means to strike, thrust or drive in (a peg, a dagger, hands clapped in a pledge) and, by extension, to blast a horn. Šôp̄ār is a ram's horn, used for signals in war, at the theophany at Sinai (Exod 19:16), at coronations (1 Kgs 1:34) and in festival announcements.

Against the English

KJV and WEB say 'trumpet', which modern readers picture as a metal instrument. BSB and others correctly have 'ram's horn'. The Hebrew uses a separate word, ḥăṣōṣərâ, for the metal trumpet (Num 10:2).

How it drifted

Older English used 'trumpet' for any blast instrument. Today the word suggests brass and music.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ehud 'blasted the shofar' to muster Ephraim (Judg 3:27). Saul does the same (1 Sam 13:3). Gideon's 300 men later blow shofars in the night attack (Judg 7:8, 16–22). In Judges 3:21 and 4:21 the same verb describes Ehud's dagger and Jael's peg.

From the study of Proverbs 6:1

Range of meaning

Tāqaʿ: to thrust, drive in (a tent peg, Judg 4:21), blow (a trumpet, Num 10:3), strike or clap. With kap, 'palm', it means to clap or strike hands. This could be a gesture of contempt (Nah 3:19) or, in legal settings, the act that seals a surety agreement.

Against the English

KJV/BSB 'struck hands' keeps the picture. NIV's 'shaken hands in pledge' puts it in modern terms but loses the sharp, formal strike. ESV-type renderings ('given your pledge') drop the gesture altogether.

Used elsewhere in the period

Job 17:3: 'Who is there who will strike hands with me (be my surety)?' Prov 17:18: 'A man lacking sense strikes palms, becoming surety in the presence of his neighbor'; 22:26: 'Do not be among those who strike palms, among those who go surety for debts.' Gestures like this for closing an agreement are known widely in the ancient Near East.