H8497 H8497
to be led, assembled, gathered (meaning uncertain; Pual form suggesting passive action)
This verb appears only in Deuteronomy 33:3 in a notoriously difficult verse, and its meaning remains disputed. The Pual form suggests a passive sense—something done to the subject. Context hints at Israel being gathered, led, or assembled at God's feet to receive teaching. Some translations suggest 'bowed down,' others 'were led' or 'gathered.' The multilingual evidence shows interpreters struggling with the same ambiguity: Spanish 'sat down,' French 'prostrated,' German 'bowed down.' The scene is clearly Moses' blessing depicting Israel's relationship to divine instruction, but the precise nuance eludes certainty.
Senses
1. sense 1 — In Moses' blessing (Deuteronomy 33:3), this describes Israel's posture or position relative to God—whether gathered, led, or seated at his feet to receive instruction. The diverse cross-linguistic renderings reflect genuine textual difficulty, with translators opting for images of assembly, submission, or reverent attention that fit the context of receiving Torah. 1×
AR["جَلَسُوا"]·ben["পতিত-হয়েছিল"]·DE["beugte-sich-hinab"]·EN["bowed-down"]·FR["se-prosterna-en-bas"]·heb["תוכו"]·HI["झुके"]·ID["duduk"]·IT["si-inchino-giu"]·jav["sujud"]·KO["엎드렸다"]·PT["prostrados"]·RU["припали"]·ES["se-sentaron"]·SW["walikuwa-miguuni"]·TR["toplandılar"]·urd["بیٹھ-گئے"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [תָּכָה] vb. meaning wholly dub.;— Pu. Pf. 3 pl. וְהֵם תֻּכּוּ לְרַגְלֶ֑ךָ Dt 33:3; were led or assembled would suit context; v. especially Dr Berthol.