What does תּוֹכֵחָה (tôkhaḥat) mean in the Bible?
Reproof or argument challenges a claim or conduct and may seek correction, refutation or a hearing for a defense. The speaker and purpose matter.
Hebrew · H8433
תּוֹכֵחָה
Reproof or argument challenges a claim or conduct and may seek correction, refutation or a hearing for a defense. The speaker and purpose matter.
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 theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
תּוֹכֵחָהH8433
Pronunciationtôkhaḥat
What does תּוֹכֵחָה (tôkhaḥat) mean in the Bible?
Reader summary
Full entry for תּוֹכֵחָה (H8433) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H8433?
The BSB source-word alignment has 28 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include correction (5), reproof (4), rebuke (3), after much reproof (1), and correct (1).
Where does תּוֹכֵחָה (tôkhaḥat) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 2 Kings 19:3. Its strongest book concentrations include Proverbs (16), Psalms (4), Ezekiel (2), Job (2).
What This Word Actually Means
Reproof or argument challenges a claim or conduct and may seek correction, refutation or a hearing for a defense. The speaker and purpose matter. Proverbs 3:11 tells a son not to reject the Lord's rebuke, connecting His discipline with love in the following verse. Job 13:6 asks the hearers to listen to Job's argument after he challenges their false statements.
Habakkuk 2:1 presents the prophet watching for God's answer and considering how to respond when corrected. These passages commend openness to truth without identifying every human accusation as God's voice. Someone may need to receive correction, but a person wrongly accused also deserves a hearing. The word does not authorize humiliation or violence. Responsible teaching asks whether the challenge is truthful, who offers it and whether its purpose accords with the life-giving correction Scripture commends.
Passage contextPastoral application
How the Bible Uses It
The Lord's loving rebuke, Job's request for his argument to be heard and Habakkuk's readiness for an answer give correction distinct speakers and purposes. Receiving truth and hearing a defense belong together.
- Prov.3.11
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord, and do not loathe His rebuke;
The instruction specifically names the Lord's discipline and rebuke, followed by His love; it does not certify every person's harshness as divine correction.
- Job.13.6
Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
Job asks others to hear his argument while challenging their lies and deceitful defense of God, so the selected word can concern a plea needing a fair hearing.
- Hab.2.1
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.
The BSB describes Habakkuk waiting for God's answer and considering his response when corrected; the posture is receptive rather than a claim that his own judgment is final.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itcorrection5×Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 13:18, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 15:10
reproof4×Proverbs 5:12, Proverbs 10:17, Proverbs 15:31, Ezekiel 25:17
rebuke3×2 Kings 19:3, Proverbs 27:5, Isaiah 37:3
after much reproof1×Proverbs 29:1
and correct1×Psalms 39:11
and punished every morning1×Psalms 73:14
and punishment1×Psalms 149:7
and the reproofs1×Proverbs 6:23
arguments1×Job 23:4
at my rebuke1×Proverbs 1:23
corrected1×Habakkuk 2:1
fury1×Ezekiel 5:15
His rebuke1×Proverbs 3:11
my argument1×Job 13:6
my reproof1×Proverbs 1:30
of correction1×Proverbs 29:15
of my correction1×Proverbs 1:25
of rebuke1×Hosea 5:9
offers no reply1×Psalms 38:14
Show sample aligned rows
2 Kings 19:3וְתוֹכֵחָ֛הtorebukeConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singularJob 13:6תוֹכַחְתִּ֑יtomy argumentNoun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularJob 23:4תוֹכָחֽוֹת׃toargumentsNoun - feminine pluralPsalms 38:14תּוֹכָחֽוֹת׃tooffers no replyNoun - feminine pluralPsalms 39:11בְּֽתוֹכָ֘ח֤וֹתtoand correctPreposition-b | Noun - feminine pluralPsalms 73:14וְ֝תוֹכַחְתִּ֗יtoand punished every morningConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularPsalms 149:7תּֽ֝וֹכֵחֹ֗תtoand punishmentNoun - feminine pluralProverbs 1:23לְֽת֫וֹכַחְתִּ֥יtoat my rebukePreposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularProverbs 1:25וְ֝תוֹכַחְתִּ֗יtoof my correctionConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularProverbs 1:30תּוֹכַחְתִּֽי׃tomy reproofNoun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row2 Kings 19:3
Aligned rows28
Books represented8
2 Kings1Job2Psalms4Proverbs16Isaiah1Ezekiel2Hosea1Habakkuk1
Source forms
תּוֹכַ֣חַת5xtō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯProverbs 10:17, Proverbs 13:18, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 15:31
וְתוֹכֵחָ֛ה2xwə·ṯō·w·ḵê·ḥāh2 Kings 19:3, Isaiah 37:3
וְ֝תוֹכַחְתִּ֗י2xwə·ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tîPsalms 73:14, Proverbs 1:25
תוֹכַ֣חַת2xṯō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯProverbs 12:1, Proverbs 15:10
תּוֹכַחְתִּֽי׃2xtō·w·ḵaḥ·tîProverbs 1:30, Habakkuk 2:1
בְּתוֹכְח֖וֹת1xbə·ṯō·wḵ·ḥō·wṯEzekiel 25:17
בְּֽתוֹכָ֘ח֤וֹת1xbə·ṯō·w·ḵā·ḥō·wṯPsalms 39:11
בְּתוֹכַחְתּֽוֹ׃1xbə·ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tōwProverbs 3:11
Parsing patterns
Noun - feminine singular8xProverbs 10:17, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 13:18, Proverbs 15:5
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular4x2 Kings 19:3, Proverbs 5:12, Proverbs 29:15, Isaiah 37:3
Noun - feminine plural4xJob 23:4, Psalms 38:14, Psalms 149:7, Proverbs 29:1
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular3xJob 13:6, Proverbs 1:30, Habakkuk 2:1
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular2xPsalms 73:14, Proverbs 1:25
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct1xEzekiel 5:15
Noun - feminine plural construct1xProverbs 6:23
Noun - feminine singular construct1xProverbs 15:31
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Seek truthful and proportionate correction that allows a hearing and remains accountable for its evidence and conduct.
- Protect people from intimidation while encouraging genuine teachability and responsibility where wrongdoing is established.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Verbal correction that moves from rebuke toward proof, used to establish truth through argumentation and reasoned reproval.
Source Gloss
chastisement ; figuratively (by words) correction , refutation , proof (even in defence)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Verbal correction that moves from rebuke toward proof, used to establish truth through argumentation and reasoned reproval.
chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) BDB: rebuke Usage: argument, × chastened, correction, reasoning, rebuke, reproof, × be (often) reproved.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
correction that exposes and redirects
reproof, correction, or rebuke intended to restore
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 28 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
תּוֹכֵחָה is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Wisdom does not flatter. She corrects. Spiritual maturity is measured by how we respond to correction.Proverbs 1:20-33
The term highlights the corrective voice of wisdom that must be received.Proverbs 10:17
Canonical Themes
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Job asks that his argument be heard while accusing his friends of speaking falsely in God's defense. The passage makes an essential distinction: invoking God does not turn a human accusation into truth. Proverbs nevertheless calls for receiving the Lord's rebuke, and later wisdom commends life-giving reproof. Those commitments need not compete. A faithful learner can welcome truthful correction while asking whether a particular charge is accurate and whether the person affected has been heard.
Hebrews explicitly quotes Proverbs within its teaching about God's discipline and its good purpose; it does not authorize every harmful human action as that discipline. Teachers should keep the source, truth and aim of correction visible. Openness to instruction can grow alongside accountability, patient hearing and protection against humiliation, threats or violence presented as spiritual care.
Anchor passage
Prov.3.11
Doctrinal connections
- Proverbs 3:11-12 identifies the Lord's rebuke with His loving discipline rather than certifying every human accusation.
- Job 13:4-8 asks for a hearing while challenging false and deceitful statements made in God's defense.
- Habakkuk 2:1-3 portrays readiness to hear God's answer and respond to correction before the vision is communicated.
- Proverbs 27:5-6 contrasts an open rebuke and faithful friendship with concealed love and deceptive kisses.
- Proverbs 15:31-33 commends life-giving reproof, understanding and humility within the pursuit of wisdom.
- Hebrews 12:5-11 explicitly quotes Proverbs' exhortation and describes God's discipline as directed toward holiness, righteousness and peace.
The noun's range includes reproof and a reasoned challenge or defense. Job 13:6 renders it argument, while Proverbs names rebuke; the word's presence alone does not prove the challenge true or give its speaker divine authority.
From Old to New Testament
Hebrews 12:5-11 explicitly cites Proverbs 3:11-12 and develops the good purpose of God's discipline. This canonical argument encourages receptive endurance while distinguishing God's purpose from human actions. It does not make every accusation divine, require someone to conceal harm or authorize humiliation and violence as spiritual correction.
Passage contextCanonical parallelPastoral application