תִּכְלָה
completeness
Definition
The Hebrew noun תִּכְלָה (tiklâh) fundamentally means 'completeness' or 'perfection,' denoting the state of being finished, whole, or brought to an end. It describes something that has reached its intended goal or limit. In its single biblical occurrence in Psalm 119:96, it is used to express the boundless, limitless nature of God's commandment, contrasting with the finite 'perfection' or 'end' of all earthly things. The word thus carries a sense of ultimate fulfillment and totality.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 119:96. The context is a wisdom reflection on the vast scope and enduring quality of God's law. The psalmist observes, 'I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.' Here, תִּכְלָה is used for the 'limit' or 'end' of all created perfection, sharply contrasted with the boundless, comprehensive nature of God's instruction (תּוֹרָה).
Etymology
תִּכְלָה (tiklâh) is a noun derived from the root כָּלָה (H3615, kālâ), which means 'to be complete, finished, spent, or come to an end.' This root conveys the ideas of completion, consumption, and conclusion. The noun form specifically denotes the state or result of that action—the 'completeness' or 'end point' itself.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the finitude of all created things in contrast to the infinite perfection and sufficiency of God's word. In Psalm 119:96, it underscores a key theme of the psalm: the transcendent, eternal, and all-encompassing nature of divine revelation. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by clarifying that the psalmist is not criticizing earthly perfection but rather acknowledging its inherent limits, which God's law surpasses completely.
In ancient Hebrew thought, concepts of perfection and completeness were often tied to functional wholeness and fitness for purpose, rather than an abstract, flawless ideal. The use of תִּכְלָה to describe a 'limit' aligns with a worldview that saw all creation as having divinely set boundaries (e.g., Job 38:8-11). The contrast with God's limitless commandment would resonate with an audience deeply familiar with the concept of covenant boundaries and laws.
תָּם (tām, H8535) — often 'blameless' or 'having integrity,' more ethical in sense. כָּלִיל (kālîl, H3632) — 'whole, entire,' often used for burnt offerings. שָׁלֵם (shālēm, H8003) — 'whole, complete, at peace,' often relational or covenantal.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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