תּוֹתָח
𐤕𐤅𐤕𐤇
tôwthâch
H8455 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A weapon designed for striking—typically a club or mace; in context, generally refers to an implement used for bludgeoning rather than cutting or piercing. In poetic or military passages, can refer more generally to blunt force weapons. The word is rare and attested only in specific military inventories or descriptions.
Semantic Range
club, mace, bludgeoning weapon, possibly generic blunt weapon or staff used in military context
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain; traditionally connected to an unused root with the meaning 'to smite' or 'to strike,' but there are no other clear derivatives in Biblical Hebrew. The vocalization and form suggest a noun of instrument, likely denoting something used to cause impact.
Historical & Contextual Notes
תּוֹתָח appears only in 2 Kings 11:10 and 2 Chronicles 23:9, both in the context of listing weapons held by the priestly guard at the Jerusalem Temple during the enthronement of Joash. The term is paralleled with spears but is probably distinct from cutting or stabbing weapons, indicating a bludgeoning instrument. The Septuagint translates it as klibania ('firepans') in one instance, suggesting an interpretive difficulty or unfamiliarity, while the Vulgate renders it as 'scuta' ('shields'), indicating further ambiguity. Most English translations prefer 'clubs' (or sometimes 'shields' or 'darts'), but the consensus is that it refers to a bludgeoning weapon, distinct from javelins or arrows. This term should not be conflated with later or post-biblical meanings or with unrelated modern military terms. The limited attestation makes it difficult to discriminate developmental shifts over time.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to smite; a club; darts.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תתח (uncertain) (t-t-ḥ (uncertain)) — to strike, to smite
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8455-01 |
תוֹתָ֑ח | totach | HNcmsa |
a threshing sledge | bludgeoning club | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8455-01 |
Job 41:21 | תוֹתָ֑ח | totach | HNcmsa |
a threshing sledge | bludgeoning club |