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טַבַּת

𐤈𐤁𐤕

Tabat

H2888 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain; possibly related to geographic designation

Definition

Ṭabbath is a proper noun denoting a specific geographic location mentioned in the Hebrew Bible—a place identified as east of the Jordan River. The precise meaning of the name is uncertain due to unclear etymology. The word is used exclusively as a toponym, referring to a site encountered in the narrative of Gideon's victory over the Midianites (Judges 7:22).

Semantic Range

proper name; place name; toponym referring to a location east of the Jordan River

Root / Etymology

The word טַבַּת (Ṭabbath) is of uncertain derivation. No clear Semitic root has been securely identified, and its connection to known Hebrew or cognate roots remains speculative. The orthographic construction does not provide a transparent lexical meaning, and it may be a non-Israelite or regional toponym incorporated into the biblical tradition.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, טַבַּת (Ṭabbath) is only mentioned once—in Judges 7:22—as part of the route the Midianites fled following Gideon's attack. As with many of the place names in Judges, the lack of further biblical or extrabiblical references limits our understanding of its precise location or historical significance. Some have attempted to relate it to Semitic roots such as טבב or compare it to similar-sounding words in neighboring languages, but no consensus exists. The site is generally understood to have been in the Transjordan region, along the path from the hill country of Ephraim toward the northern plains. The name is not reused or reinterpreted elsewhere in later biblical, Second Temple, or rabbinic sources, and does not carry any later religious identity associations. English translations typically retain the Hebrew form 'Tabbath,' which is a transliteration and not a translation, reflecting the limited lexical knowledge of the term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of uncertain derivation; Tabbath, a place East of the Jordan; Tabbath.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

לא ידוע (uncertain) — uncertain; possibly geographic designation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H175 אַהֲרוֹן and to Aharon
H176 אוֹ or
H1834 דַּמֶּשֶׂק Damascus
H2051 וְדָן Vedan
H2261 חֲבַצֶּלֶת splendid wildflower

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2888-01 טַבָּֽת tabat HNp Tabbath Ṭabbath 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2888-01 Judges 7:22 טַבָּֽת tabat HNp Tabbath Ṭabbath
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