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טַל

𐤈𐤋

ṭal

H2919 noun

SILEX Entry

Root טלל to cover, to shade, to provide a thin or protective layer

Definition

Moisture that forms in minute droplets, typically during the night, upon outdoor surfaces such as plants and ground. In wider biblical usage, 'ṭal' refers to natural dew as a meteorological phenomenon and, in figurative and poetic contexts, symbolizes divine blessing, freshness, renewal, vitality, or gentle favor, often contrasted with the barrenness caused by drought or lack of rain.

Semantic Range

dew, nighttime moisture, source of freshness or renewal, symbol of divine blessing and vitality, gentle life-giving influence

Root / Etymology

The word derives from the root ט-ל-ל (טָלַל, ṭll), which in its root sense pertains to covering or shading. 'טַל' likely conveys a sense of thin covering in the form of dew. The root meaning ('to cover, shade') is distinct from the lexical sense of 'dew,' but may provide the basis for the imagery of a delicate covering over vegetation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, 'ṭal' is a common term for dew—the naturally forming moisture that appears overnight. As a key feature of the land's climate, 'dew' held agricultural and symbolic significance. Dew was vital in the dry seasons of ancient Israelite agriculture, often ensuring plant survival when rainfall was absent. It was frequently invoked as a sign of divine blessing (Genesis 27:28; Deuteronomy 33:13), and its absence as a sign of divine displeasure (Haggai 1:10-11). 'ṭal' is sometimes contrasted with rain (מָטָר, matar), the former representing gentler, continuous moisture, the latter direct, often seasonal precipitation. In poetic and prophetic writings, dew may symbolize renewal (Hosea 14:6 [14:5]), resurrection (Isaiah 26:19), or continual favor. Later translations sometimes render 'ṭal' as 'dew' in contexts where its symbolic nuances are significant, but may not fully capture the sense of gentle life-sustaining moisture it carried in ancient Israelite perception. In later Jewish tradition, 'טל' also features in prayers for sustenance and blessing, reflecting its ongoing cultural resonance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from טָלַל; dew (as covering vegetation); dew.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

טלל (ṭ-l-l) — to cover, to shade, to provide a thin layer

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2927 טְלַל she will cast shade

Word Forms

12 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2919-06 טָֽל tal HNcmsa dew dew covering 13
H2919-01 הַ/טַּ֔ל hatal HTd/Ncmsa of the dew the dew-covering 4
H2919-05 מִ/טַּל֙ mital HR/Ncmsc from dew from dew-covering 3
H2919-03 כְּ/טַל֙ ketal HR/Ncmsa like dew like dew 2
H2919-11 וְ/כַ/טַּ֖ל vekhatal HC/Rd/Ncmsa and like the dew and like dew 2
H2919-08 טַלֶּ֔/ךָ talekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your dew your dew 1
H2919-04 כַ/טַּל֙ khatal HRd/Ncmsa like the dew like dew 1
H2919-09 וּ/כְ/טַ֖ל ukhetal HC/R/Ncmsa and like dew and like dew 1
H2919-02 כַּ/טַּ֖ל katal HRd/Ncmsa as the dew dew 1
H2919-12 וְ֝/טַ֗ל vetal HC/Ncmsa and dew and dew-covering 1

Occurrences in Scripture

31 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2919-05 Genesis 27:28 מִ/טַּל֙ mital HR/Ncmsc of the dew from dew-covering
H2919-10 Genesis 27:39 וּ/מִ/טַּ֥ל umital HC/R/Ncmsc and away from the dew and from dew
H2919-01 Exodus 16:13 הַ/טַּ֔ל hatal HTd/Ncmsa of the dew the dew-covering
H2919-01 Exodus 16:14 הַ/טָּ֑ל hatal HTd/Ncmsa of the dew the dew-covering
H2919-01 Numbers 11:9 הַ/טַּ֛ל hatal HTd/Ncmsa the dew the dew-covering
H2919-02 Deuteronomy 32:2 כַּ/טַּ֖ל katal HRd/Ncmsa as the dew dew
H2919-05 Deuteronomy 33:13 מִ/טָּ֔ל mital HR/Ncmsa from the dew from dew-covering
H2919-06 Deuteronomy 33:28 טָֽל tal HNcmsa dew dew covering
H2919-06 Judges 6:37 טַל֩ tal HNcmsa dew dew covering
H2919-06 Judges 6:38 טַל֙ tal HNcmsa dew dew covering
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