What does אָפַק (ʾāpaq) mean in the Bible?
אָפַק (ʾāpaq): Self-restraint through internal containment; holding back one's natural impulse or expression
Hebrew · H662
אָפַק
To contain , i.e. (reflex.) abstain
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
אָפַק H662
Pronunciation ʾāpaq
What does אָפַק (ʾāpaq) mean in the Bible?
אָפַק (ʾāpaq): Self-restraint through internal containment; holding back one's natural impulse or expression
Full entry for אָפַק (H662) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H662?
The BSB source-word alignment has 7 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and restrained (1), are restrained (1), control himself (1), Regaining his composure (1), restrained himself (1).
Where does אָפַק (ʾāpaq) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 43:31. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (3), Genesis (2), 1 Samuel (1), Esther (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It and restrained 1× Isaiah 42:14
are restrained 1× Isaiah 63:15
control himself 1× Genesis 45:1
Regaining his composure 1× Genesis 43:31
restrained himself 1× Esther 5:10
So I felt compelled 1× 1 Samuel 13:12
will You restrain Yourself 1× Isaiah 64:12
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 43:31 וַיִּ֨תְאַפַּ֔ק to Regaining his composure Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Genesis 45:1 לְהִתְאַפֵּ֗ק to control himself Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct 1 Samuel 13:12 וָֽאֶתְאַפַּ֔ק to So I felt compelled Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Esther 5:10 וַיִּתְאַפַּ֣ק to restrained himself Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Isaiah 42:14 אֶתְאַפָּ֑ק to and restrained Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular Isaiah 63:15 הִתְאַפָּֽקוּ׃ to are restrained Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural Isaiah 64:12 תִתְאַפַּ֖ק to will You restrain Yourself Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Genesis 43:31
Aligned rows 7
Books represented 4
Genesis 2 1 Samuel 1 Esther 1 Isaiah 3
Source forms
אֶתְאַפָּ֑ק 1x ’eṯ·’ap·pāq Isaiah 42:14
הִתְאַפָּֽקוּ׃ 1x hiṯ·’ap·pā·qū Isaiah 63:15
וָֽאֶתְאַפַּ֔ק 1x wā·’eṯ·’ap·paq 1 Samuel 13:12
וַיִּ֨תְאַפַּ֔ק 1x way·yiṯ·’ap·paq Genesis 43:31
וַיִּתְאַפַּ֣ק 1x way·yiṯ·’ap·paq Esther 5:10
לְהִתְאַפֵּ֗ק 1x lə·hiṯ·’ap·pêq Genesis 45:1
תִתְאַפַּ֖ק 1x ṯiṯ·’ap·paq Isaiah 64:12
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular 2x Genesis 43:31, Esther 5:10
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular 1x 1 Samuel 13:12
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct 1x Genesis 45:1
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - first person common singular 1x Isaiah 42:14
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular 1x Isaiah 64:12
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural 1x Isaiah 63:15
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Self-restraint through internal containment; holding back one's natural impulse or expression
Source Gloss
to contain , i.e. (reflex.) abstain
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Self-restraint through internal containment; holding back one's natural impulse or expression
to contain, i.e. (reflex.) abstain BDB: hold Usage: force (oneself), restrain.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 1 Aligned forms 3
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 3×
Imperfect Isa 42:14 · Isa 64:11 2×
Perfect Isa 63:15 1×
Word Origins
אָפַק is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain