BIBLE HEBREW WORD STUDY
Laqach — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Laqach (H3947) is a common Hebrew verb meaning 'to take' in a wide range of physical and relational senses — taking hold of something, receiving, choosing, or carrying away.
Meaning of the word
Laqach is defined in the lexicon as 'to take' in the widest variety of applications. It covers the simple physical act of reaching for and grasping something, as well as more extended senses such as receiving, choosing, carrying away, or taking into one's possession.
The verb appears in several Hebrew stems (Qal, Niphal, and others), allowing passive forms meaning 'to be taken' (luqqach, luqachah). This flexibility lets it describe both a subject performing the action and a person or thing being acted upon.
In short, laqach is not limited to one narrow kind of taking. It can describe taking a person (such as a wife or a man into a garden), taking an object (a rib, fruit, a hand), or taking something into possession (goods, property).
Usage in Scripture
In the opening chapters of Genesis, laqach shapes several pivotal scenes. God 'takes' the man and places him in the garden of Eden (Gen 2:15), then takes one of his ribs to form the woman (Gen 2:21–22). The woman 'takes' of the fruit of the tree (Gen 3:6), and Adam is reminded that he was 'taken' from the ground (Gen 3:19, 3:23). In each case the verb underscores a transfer: between God and humanity, or between human and object.
Outside the garden, laqach continues to mark decisive moments of transition. Abram 'takes' Sarai, Lot, and their possessions to go to Canaan (Gen 12:5), Sarai is 'taken' into Pharaoh's house (Gen 12:15), and Abram insists he 'took' her as his wife (Gen 12:19). The verb thus describes both voluntary action (taking a journey, taking a wife) and involuntary removal (being taken into another's house).
The word in detail
- H3947 Laqach is a strong H3947 verb with broad semantic range. It is the default Hebrew verb for 'to take', and its Niphal passive forms (luqqach, luqachah) express 'to be taken'. Genesis alone supplies many of its most theologically significant uses: God's taking of the man (Gen 2:15), the forming of woman from the taken rib (Gen 2:21–23), and the woman's taking of the forbidden fruit (Gen 3:6).
Example verses
- Genesis 2:15 God 'takes' the man and places him in Eden — laqach here depicts divine initiative, not human effort.
- Genesis 2:21 God 'takes' one of Adam's ribs during sleep — a surgical act framed with the same word used for grasping objects.
- Genesis 3:6 The woman 'takes' of the forbidden fruit — the same verb used for God's taking, now applied to a disobedient human action.
- Genesis 12:5 Abram 'takes' his wife, nephew, and possessions on the journey to Canaan — laqach describes assembling a household for migration.
Common questions
What is the basic meaning of laqach (H3947)?
It means 'to take' in a wide range of senses — physically grasping something, receiving it, choosing it, or carrying it away. The lexicon describes it as covering 'the widest variety of applications.'
Does laqach only describe physical taking?
No. While it often describes grasping an object, it also describes taking a person (such as taking a wife or being taken into a house) and receiving possessions. The verb covers physical, relational, and legal senses of taking.
Is laqach used in important theological passages?
Yes. In Genesis it is used for God's taking of Adam (2:15), the taking of the rib to make woman (2:21–22), the woman's taking of the forbidden fruit (3:6), and Abram's taking of his household to Canaan (12:5).