Lexical Summary
towkechah: Reproof, correction, rebuke, argument
Original Word:תּוֹכֵחָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:towkechah
Pronunciation:toh-kay-KHAH
Phonetic Spelling:(to-kay-khaw')
KJV: argument, X chastened, correction, reasoning, rebuke, reproof, X be (often) reproved
Word Origin:[fromH3198 (יָכַח - reprove)]
1. chastisement
2. figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
amongst, where, into, middle, midnight, midst among, out of, through, within
And towkachath {to-kakh'-ath}; fromyakach; chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) -- argument, X chastened, correction, reasoning, rebuke, reproof, X be (often) reproved.
see HEBREWyakach
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; —
Hosea 5:9;
2 Kings 19:3 =
Isaiah 37:3; plural
Psalm 149:7 ("" ).
; —Proverbs 10:17 9t.; suffixHabakkuk 2:1 5t.;Proverbs 3:11; pluralPsalm 38:15 3t.; constructProverbs 6:23;Ezekiel 25:17;Ezekiel 5:15 (but latter strike out Co; given by SS under ); —
argument, impeachment, spoken by lips and mouthPsalm 38:15;Job 13:6;Job 23:4;Habakkuk 2:1.
reproof, chidingProverbs 1:23;Proverbs 27:5; ""Proverbs 1:25,30; ""Proverbs 3:11;Proverbs 5:12;Proverbs 10:17;Proverbs 12:1;Proverbs 13:18;Proverbs 15:5,10,32;Proverbs 6:23reporoofs for discipline;Proverbs 15:31reproof that giveth life;Proverbs 29:1man of reproofs (who deserves them).
correction, rebukePsalm 39:12;Psalm 73:14;Proverbs 29:15;Ezekiel 5:15;Ezekiel 25:17.
Topical Lexicon
Essential Conceptתּוֹכֵחָה (Strong’s 8433) expresses verbal confrontation that both exposes wrong and appeals for change. It ranges from orderly legal argument to sharp prophetic rebuke. Because it aims at restoration, Scripture treats תּוֹכֵחָה as a gracious gift rather than a mere censure.
Wisdom Literature: The Reproof that Gives Life
Proverbs employs the noun more than any other book, portraying reproof as indispensable to the fear of the LORD and the pursuit of wisdom.
•Proverbs 1:23—“Turn to my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”
•Proverbs 6:23—“The reproofs of discipline are the way to life.”
•Proverbs 15:31—“He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.”
In Proverbs, תּוֹכֵחָה is contrasted with flattery (Proverbs 28:23) and valued above even sincere affection that keeps silent (Proverbs 27:5). Accepting correction therefore marks the wise and opens the way to God’s further self-disclosure.
Job and the Language of Legal Contest
Job uses the term for courtroom-style pleading (Job 13:6; 23:4), underscoring its forensic nuance: the presentation of evidence that justifies or condemns. Job longs to lay out his “argument” before God, confident that divine assessment, though painful, will ultimately vindicate true righteousness.
Historical Narratives: A Day of Rebuke
Hezekiah, facing Assyrian siege, declares, “This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace” (2 Kings 19:3;Isaiah 37:3). National crisis is interpreted as God’s public reproof of covenant unfaithfulness, driving Judah to humble intercession.Genesis 20:16 records Abimelech’s gifts as “a vindication,” publicly clearing Sarah’s reputation—another judicial shade of the word.
Prophetic Literature: Covenant Lawsuit and Gracious Invitation
Prophets often frame their messages as תּוֹכֵחָה, a covenant lawsuit (Micah 6:2) that both indicts and extends mercy:
•Isaiah 1:18—“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
Here divine rebuke becomes redemptive dialogue, promising cleansing for the repentant. Prophetic use of תּוֹכֵחָה is therefore inseparable from the gospel pattern: exposure of sin, call to repentance, and assurance of forgiveness.
Psalms: Personal and Corporate Discipline
Psalm 39:11 depicts God’s corrective hand: “When You rebuke and discipline a man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth.” The psalmist accepts divine reproof as purifying fire.Psalm 141:5 welcomes righteous correction from a godly friend, seeing it as “oil upon the head.”
Theological Thread: Reproof as a Means of Grace
1. Reflects God’s character: holy enough to confront sin, loving enough to restore.
2. Preserves covenant order: legal reproof maintains justice within Israel’s community life.
3. Shapes discipleship: divine wisdom is transmitted through corrective speech.
4. Prefigures messianic ministry: Jesus’ words “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).
Christological Fulfillment
Christ embodies perfect reproof—“full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). His encounters (Mark 10:21;Revelation 3:19) model loving correction aimed at repentance and life. On the cross He absorbs the ultimate rebuke reserved for sinners, enabling believers to accept fatherly discipline without fear of condemnation.
Eschatological Dimension
Earthly reproof anticipates the final judgment where every argument will be laid bare (Romans 3:19). Those who heed God’s present correction avoid eschatological shame; those who spurn it face definitive censure.
Ministry Applications
• Preaching: Faithful exposition includes corrective elements, echoing Paul’s charge to “preach the word… rebuke, exhort” (2 Timothy 4:2).
• Church Discipline:Matthew 18:15-17 aligns with תּוֹכֵחָה—private confrontation escalating only as needed.
• Pastoral Care and Counseling: Gentle, Scripture-saturated reproof restores the erring (Galatians 6:1).
• Parenting:Proverbs 29:15 pairs a “rod” with תּוֹכֵחָה, highlighting verbal instruction alongside appropriate consequences.
• Personal Devotion: Inviting the Spirit’s convicting work through prayerful reading of Scripture cultivates ongoing repentance and growth.
Representative Occurrences
Genesis 20:16;Deuteronomy 32:36;Job 13:6;Psalm 38:1;Psalm 39:11;Proverbs 1:23, 25, 30;Proverbs 6:23;Proverbs 15:31-32;Proverbs 27:5;Proverbs 28:23;Isaiah 1:17-18;Isaiah 37:3;Micah 6:2;Habakkuk 1:12. Together these texts reveal a consistent biblical pattern: God confronts to cleanse, corrects to cultivate wisdom, and reproves to redeem.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּֽתוֹכָ֘ח֤וֹת בְּתוֹכְח֖וֹת בְּתוֹכַחְתּֽוֹ׃ בתוכחות בתוכחתו׃ וְ֝תוֹכַ֗חַת וְ֝תוֹכַחְתִּ֗י וְ֭תוֹכַחַת וְתוֹכֵחָ֛ה וּבְתֹכְח֣וֹת ובתכחות ותוכחה ותוכחת ותוכחתי לְֽת֫וֹכַחְתִּ֥י לתוכחתי תּ֝וֹכַ֗חַת תּ֭וֹכָחוֹת תּֽ֝וֹכֵחֹ֗ת תּֽוֹכֵחָ֑ה תּוֹכְח֥וֹת תּוֹכַ֣חַת תּוֹכַחְתִּֽי׃ תּוֹכָחֽוֹת׃ תוֹכַ֣חַת תוֹכַחְתִּ֑י תוֹכָחֽוֹת׃ תוכחה תוכחות תוכחות׃ תוכחת תוכחתי תוכחתי׃ bə·ṯō·w·ḵā·ḥō·wṯ bə·ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tōw bə·ṯō·wḵ·ḥō·wṯ betoChaChot betochachTo betochChot bəṯōwḵāḥōwṯ bəṯōwḵaḥtōw bəṯōwḵḥōwṯ lə·ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tî leTochachTi ləṯōwḵaḥtî tō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯ ṯō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯ tō·w·ḵā·ḥō·wṯ ṯō·w·ḵā·ḥō·wṯ tō·w·ḵaḥ·tî ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tî tō·w·ḵê·ḥāh tō·w·ḵê·ḥōṯ tō·wḵ·ḥō·wṯ toChachat tochaChot tochachTi tochChot tocheChah tocheChot tōwḵaḥaṯ ṯōwḵaḥaṯ tōwḵāḥōwṯ ṯōwḵāḥōwṯ tōwḵaḥtî ṯōwḵaḥtî tōwḵêḥāh tōwḵêḥōṯ tōwḵḥōwṯ ū·ḇə·ṯō·ḵə·ḥō·wṯ ūḇəṯōḵəḥōwṯ uvetocheChot vetoChachat vetochachTi vetocheChah wə·ṯō·w·ḵa·ḥaṯ wə·ṯō·w·ḵaḥ·tî wə·ṯō·w·ḵê·ḥāh wəṯōwḵaḥaṯ wəṯōwḵaḥtî wəṯōwḵêḥāh
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