a.phaq describes holding oneself back, especially restraining an outward response or inward feeling.

The attested contexts consistently present self-restraint: a person controls an action or emotion, or inward feelings are described as being held back. The forms occur in scenes of delayed expression, pressure before action, and an appeal concerning restrained compassion.

1. Holding oneself or feelings back · dominant

   The Hithpael forms occur where a response is checked or contained: in Genesis 43:31 the APB renders Joseph as having “controlled himself” before giving an order, while in Genesis 45:1 he could no longer do so before revealing himself. Esther 5:10 likewise depicts Haman restraining himself, and Isaiah 42:14 joins the first-person form with keeping silent and being still. In 1 Samuel 13:12 the first-person sequential imperfect precedes the offering of a burnt offering, and Isaiah 63:15 describes inward parts and compassions as restrained.

   Genesis 43:31Genesis 45:1Esther 5:10Isaiah 42:141 Samuel 13:12Isaiah 63:15

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the clearer contexts, the APB varies between “restrained himself,” “controlled himself,” and “restrain himself”; it also renders the first-person form in 1 Samuel 13:12 as “I forced myself.” In Isaiah 64:11, the supplied translation does not make the term’s individual contribution readily isolable.