ta.qaph describes prevailing over or overpowering someone in conflict, distress, or unequal strength.

The attested uses describe one party prevailing over another: a person may be overpowered, distress and anguish overpower a man, and a man cannot contend with one mightier than himself.

1. Prevailing over an opponent or person · dominant

   In Ecclesiastes 4:12, the Qal imperfect occurs in the clause where one person may be overpowered before two defend themselves; Job 14:20 uses the same stem in a statement that the addressed party prevails over a man. Job 15:24 places the Qal imperfect with distress and anguish that overpower him, while Ecclesiastes 6:10 uses a Hiphil infinitive construct in the statement that a man cannot contend with one mightier than he.

   Ecclesiastes 4:12Ecclesiastes 6:10Job 14:20Job 15:24

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the clauses with “overpowered,” “prevail over,” “overpower,” and “contend with one who is mightier.” These expressions show the verses' portrayal of conflict and superior strength rather than fixed English equivalents.