Lexical Summary
ak: Surely, only, nevertheless, but, indeed
Original Word:אַךְ
Part of Speech:Adverb
Transliteration:ak
Pronunciation:ahk
Phonetic Spelling:(ak)
KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet (but)
NASB:only, surely, nevertheless, however, yet, indeed, exactly
Word Origin:[akin toH403 (אָכֵן - surely)]
1. a particle of affirmation, surely
2. hence (by limitation) only
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless,
Akin to'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only -- also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet (but).
see HEBREW'aken
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain derivation, see
akenDefinitionsurely, howbeit
NASB Translationaltogether (1), certainly (1), completely (1), exactly (2), except (1), hardly* (1), however (9), indeed (3), just (1), just* (1), mere (1), nevertheless (13), nothing (1), only (52), only* (1), rather (1), soon (1), surely (37), surely* (1), truly (1), utterly (1), when they had just (1), yes (2), yet (6).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
159 (perhaps from the same demonstr, root found also in , , ).
.
:
;
, only
(or supposed truth) newly perceived, especially in colloquial language,surely, no doubt (doch wohl);Genesis 26:9of a surety, lo, she is thy wife !Genesis 29:14;Genesis 44:28;Judges 3:24;Judges 20:39;1 Samuel 16:6surely the anointed of is before him !1 Samuel 25:21;Jeremiah 5:4;Psalm 58:12;Psalm 73:1;Psalm 73:13; but also in other cases, though rarely,Isaiah 34:14,15;Zephaniah 3:7;Psalm 23:6;Psalm 139:11;Psalm 140:14;Job 16:7;Job 18:21; & rather singularlyExodus 12:15;Exodus 31:13;Leviticus 23:27,39 (all P).
:
,howbeit, yet, but :Genesis 9:4howbeit, flesh with the life thereof . . . ye shall not eat,Genesis 20:12;Exodus 21:21;Leviticus 21:23;Leviticus 27:26;Numbers 18:15,17;2 Samuel 3:13;Jeremiah 10:24 correct me,but with judgment,Job 2:6;Job 13:15; sometimes with an adversative force, asIsaiah 14:15;Isaiah 43:24; before an imperative (minimizing the request),Genesis 23:13only, if thou wilt, I pray thee, hear me !Genesis 27:13;Judges 10:15;1 Samuel 18:17;1 Kings 17:13 and elsewhere So1 Samuel 8:9 (see ; and compare ).
: — ()Genesis 7:23;Genesis 18:32only this once (soExodus 10:17 and elsewhere)Exodus 34:15;Exodus 12:16 (note accents),1 Samuel 18:8 and there yet remains for himonly the kingdom,1 Samuel 21:5;Isaiah 45:14only in thee is God!Psalm 62:2 etc.Job 14:22;Psalm 37:8 fret not thyself (which leadeth)only to do evil,Proverbs 11:24 he that withholdeth more than is meet (tendeth)only to penury,Proverbs 14:23;Proverbs 21:5;Proverbs 22:16; () attaching itself closely to the following word (usually an adjective, rarely a verb),only, i.e.exclusively, altogether, utterlyDeuteronomy 16:15 and thou shalt bealtogether rejoicing,Deuteronomy 28:29 (compareDeuteronomy 28:33 )Isaiah 16:7utterly stricken,Isaiah 19:11;Jeremiah 16:19nought but lies,Jeremiah 32:30;Hosea 12:12;Job 19:13 arewholly estranged (with play oncruel).
(with infinitive absolute), twice:Genesis 27:30only just (orscarcely) had Jacob gone out, . . . and (= when) Esau came in,Judges 7:19. — thrice :Genesis 9:5and only (second limitation ofGenesis 9:3);Numbers 22:20but only;Joshua 22:19but howbeit.
. — In some passages the affirmative and restrictive senses agree equally with the context; and authorities read the Hebrew differently. Thusonly = nought but, altogether, is adopted by Ges Ew Hi De inPsalm 23:6;Psalm 62:10;Psalm 73:1;Psalm 73:13; by Ew Hi De inPsalm 39:6;Psalm 39:7 (Chesurely); by Ges Ew De inPsalm 39:12 (but Hi Chesurely); by Ew Hi inPsalm 73:18 (De Chesurely); by Ges Hi De inPsalm 139:11 (Ewdoch).Isaiah 45:14 Ges Ew Hi Dionly; but De Cheof a truth.
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Essential Senseאַךְ functions as a restrictive or emphatic particle. Depending on context it conveys ideas such as “surely,” “only,” “truly,” “indeed,” “nevertheless,” or “however.” These nuances never contradict one another; rather, they orbit the central notion of drawing the reader’s attention to the singularity or certainty of what follows or precedes.
Frequency and Canonical Distribution
Approximately 161 occurrences span the Pentateuch, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets. The Psalter contains the highest concentration, where it intensifies worship and lament. Deuteronomy, 1 and 2 Samuel, and Jeremiah also employ the term strategically to mark covenantal restrictions, royal decrees, and prophetic certainties.
Exclusive Affirmation
Often אַךְ establishes an unqualified truth.
•Psalm 62:1: “Truly (אַךְ) my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.”
•Psalm 73:1: “Surely (אַךְ) God is good to Israel, to the pure in heart.”
Here the particle prefaces declarations about God’s character, underscoring the believer’s unshakeable confidence.
Restrictive Limitation
אַךְ can narrow permissible action.
•Genesis 9:4: “But you must not (אַךְ) eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.”
•Deuteronomy 15:23: “But you must (אַךְ) drain its blood on the ground like water.”
Such usages underline covenantal boundaries and safeguard holiness.
Concessive or Adversative Contrast
In narrative it introduces a counterpoint.
•2 Kings 14:4: “The high places, however (אַךְ), were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on them.”
The verse concedes lingering disobedience while recounting a king’s partial reform, reminding readers of the persistent need for wholehearted obedience.
Legal and Administrative Precision
Mosaic legislation exploits אַךְ to tighten statutes:
•Exodus 31:13: “Surely (אַךְ) you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come.”
Its presence heightens juridical weight, signaling that no exceptions will be tolerated.
Prophetic Certitude
Prophets use אַךְ to authenticate the inevitability of divine judgment or mercy.
•Jeremiah 30:11: “I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations… I will not completely destroy you, but (אַךְ) I will discipline you with justice.”
•Isaiah 16:6: “We have heard of Moab’s pride—how great is her arrogance— but (אַךְ) her boasting is empty.”
Wisdom Literature and Spiritual Formation
In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes the particle shapes moral maxims and existential reflections.
•Proverbs 11:23: “The desire of the righteous is only (אַךְ) good, but the hope of the wicked is wrath.”
•Ecclesiastes 3:19: “Surely (אַךְ) the fate of man and the fate of beasts is the same.”
Each instance presses home a solitary truth meant to reform thought and conduct.
Liturgical and Devotional Usage
Psalms employs אַךְ in call-and-response liturgy, guiding worshipers toward singular devotion:
•Psalm 62:6: “He alone (אַךְ) is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
The particle guards the exclusivity of trust, steering congregational hearts away from idols.
Christological Foreshadowing
By accentuating uniqueness and certainty, אַךְ anticipates the New Testament’s exclusive claims of Christ. Where the Old Testament says, “Only God saves,” the New Testament reveals the incarnate means: “There is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Thus the particle’s Old Covenant insistence on the singular prepares readers to receive the One Mediator.
Pastoral and Homiletical Implications
1. Assurance: Preachers may highlight אַךְ to ground believers in God’s unchangeable promises (Psalm 73:1).
2. Warning: Its restrictive sense exposes partial obedience (2 Kings 14:4), urging complete surrender.
3. Clarity: In counseling, the word’s precision models clear boundaries.
4. Worship: Liturgists can structure services around “Only God” themes drawn fromPsalm 62.
Missional Relevance
In evangelism, אַךְ supplies biblical warrant for declaring the exclusivity of salvation and the certainty of judgment. It strengthens the church’s proclamation that “surely” God will do as He has said—both to save and to judge.
Theological Summary
אַךְ is the Scripture’s verbal highlighter, marking truths that admit no rivals and commands that brook no compromise. Whether assuring the penitent, confronting the rebellious, or exalting the Lord’s uniqueness, the particle serves the Spirit’s purpose of leading God’s people into wholehearted, exclusive allegiance to Him.
Forms and Transliterations
אַ֕ךְ אַ֖ךְ אַ֗ךְ אַ֚ךְ אַ֛ךְ אַ֠ךְ אַ֡ךְ אַ֣ךְ אַ֣ךְ ׀ אַ֤ךְ אַ֤ךְ ׀ אַ֥ךְ אַ֧ךְ אַ֭ךְ אַךְ֩ אַךְ־ אך אך־ וְאַ֗ךְ וְאַ֨ךְ ואך ’aḵ ’aḵ- ach achoSh achoSha veAch wə’aḵ wə·’aḵ
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