תַּחַשׁ
𐤕𐤇𐤔
tachash
H8476 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of animal whose hide was used in the construction of sacred items, notably the coverings of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. The precise identity of this animal is uncertain; it is variously interpreted as a marine mammal (such as dolphin or dugong), an antelope, or a land mammal such as a badger. In biblical contexts, 'tachash' refers to the skin or hide of this animal, valued for its durability and distinctiveness.
Semantic Range
animal, animal hide, skin, pelt, material for protective covering, possible references to marine or terrestrial animals, possibly decorative or colored skin
Root / Etymology
etymology uncertain. The Hebrew word תַּחַשׁ (tachash) is not derived from a known Semitic root, and most scholars believe it is a loanword, possibly from an Egyptian or another ancient Near Eastern source. It is used in the plural or construct form in most occurrences, always with reference to pelts or skins.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible (primarily in Exodus and Numbers), 'tachash' designates a type of animal hide used as an outermost covering for the Tabernacle and certain vessels (e.g., Numbers 4:6-14; Exodus 25:5, 26:14). The identity of the animal is debated. Classical rabbinic tradition sometimes describes it as a unique, now-extinct, brilliantly colored creature. Many modern scholars favor an identification as a marine mammal (such as the dugong) based on ancient translations and archaeological parallels, while others suggest an antelope, goat, or even a badger. The Septuagint translates the term as 'hyacinth-colored' (Greek: ὑακίνθινος), which has led to additional confusion. English translations such as 'badger skin' or 'porpoise skin' are interpretive guesses and may not capture the true nature of the biblical term. There is no evidence that the word uniquely identified an animal associated with ritual impurity or uncleanness; rather, its skins were considered suitable for use in the sanctuary context. Over time, later Jewish tradition and Christian translations used varying substitutions reflecting evolving understandings, but the original referent remains uncertain.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably of foreign derivation; a (clean) animal with fur, probably a species of antelope; badger.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תחש (t-ḥ-š) — uncertain animal, hide, pelt, durable skin
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8477 | תַּחַשׁ | Tahash |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8476-03 |
תַּ֔חַשׁ | tachash | HNcmsa |
durable | tachash hide | tachash hide | 7 |
H8476-04 |
תְּחָשִׁ֖ים | techashim | HNcmpa |
of porpoise | tachash hides | tachash hides | 5 |
H8476-02 |
הַ/תְּחָשִׁ֑ים | hatechashim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of dugongs | the tachash-hides | the tachash-hides | 1 |
H8476-01 |
הַ/תַּ֥חַשׁ | hatachash | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the porpoise-skin | tachash hide | of the tachash hide | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8476-04 |
Exodus 25:5 | תְּחָשִׁ֖ים | techashim | HNcmpa |
badgers' | tachash hides | tachash hides |
H8476-04 |
Exodus 26:14 | תְּחָשִׁ֖ים | techashim | HNcmpa |
of porpoise | tachash hides | tachash hides |
H8476-04 |
Exodus 35:7 | תְּחָשִׁ֖ים | techashim | HNcmpa |
porpoise | tachash hides | tachash hides |
H8476-04 |
Exodus 35:23 | תְּחָשִׁ֖ים | techashim | HNcmpa |
of fine leather | tachash hides | tachash hides |
H8476-04 |
Exodus 36:19 | תְּחָשִׁ֖ים | techashim | HNcmpa |
of porpoise | tachash hides | tachash hides |
H8476-02 |
Exodus 39:34 | הַ/תְּחָשִׁ֑ים | hatechashim | HTd/Ncmpa |
of dugongs | the tachash-hides | the tachash-hides |
H8476-03 |
Numbers 4:6 | תַּ֔חַשׁ | tachash | HNcmsa |
durable | tachash hide | tachash hide |
H8476-03 |
Numbers 4:8 | תָּ֑חַשׁ | tachash | HNcmsa |
durable | tachash hide | tachash hide |
H8476-03 |
Numbers 4:10 | תָּ֑חַשׁ | tachash | HNcmsa |
fine | tachash hide | tachash hide |
H8476-03 |
Numbers 4:11 | תָּ֑חַשׁ | tachash | HNcmsa |
of badger | tachash hide | tachash hide |