תַּחְתִּים חׇדְשִׁי

𐤕𐤇𐤕𐤉𐤌 𐤇𐤃𐤔𐤉

Tachetim Chdeshi

H8483 noun

SILEX Entry

Root תחת, חדשׁ to be beneath, lower; to be new, month, new moon

Definition

Tachtîym Chodshîy is a place name referring to a specific locality mentioned in the territorial descriptions in the book of Samuel. The Hebrew phrase indicates a geographic site, likely within the region allotted to the northern Israelite tribes. The name itself appears to incorporate the meaning 'lower' (from תַּחְתִּים, likely meaning 'lower regions') combined with what is probably a gentilic or regional marker derived from חׇדְשִׁי, possibly denoting an association with a group or territory characterized as 'Chodshi' or 'of Chodesh.' The precise identification remains uncertain, but the name as a whole designates a lower district or settlement associated with Chodshi.

Semantic Range

place name; lower region of Chodshi or associated group; proper noun designating a geographic locality; possibly a district among tribal land allotments

Root / Etymology

Constructed from the plural masculine of תַּחְתִּי (takhtî, 'lower'; from the root תַּחַת, t-kh-t, meaning 'under' or 'beneath') in construct relationship with חׇדְשִׁי, probably a gentilic or territorial designation. The second component is likely derived from חֹדֶשׁ ('new moon, new month'), though its adaptation in this context is uncertain and likely represents a proper noun rather than a temporal reference.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Tachtîym Chodshîy occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible (2 Samuel 24:6) as a location passed during the census conducted by David's officials. The translation 'Tahtim-hodshi' in English versions is a transliteration of the undeciphered place name. Its location is uncertain—some suggest proximity to the Galilean region or northern Transjordan. The word does not have significance outside this place name usage. The first element, תַּחְתִּים, is related to several topographical naming conventions in Hebrew (e.g., 'lower Beth-Horon'), designating a site in relation to higher or upper counterparts. The second, חׇדְשִׁי, remains opaque but may reflect a regional or family group name. Traditional translations have simply transliterated the Hebrew words, as the meaning of the components in this context is not entirely clear. No theological or cultic implications are attached to the designation in the biblical context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently from the plural masculine of תַּחְתִּי or תַּחַת and חֹדֶשׁ; lower (ones) monthly; Tachtim-Chodshi, a place in Palestine; Tahtim-hodshi.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תחת, חדש (t-ḥ-t; ḥ-d-š) — beneath, lower; newness, month, new moon

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8483-01 חָדְשִׁ֑י chadeshi HNp Hodshi Chodshi 1
H8483-02 תַּחְתִּ֖ים tachetim HNp of Tahtim Lower-Chodshi Region 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8483-02 2 Samuel 24:6 תַּחְתִּ֖ים tachetim HNp of Tahtim Lower-Chodshi Region
H8483-01 2 Samuel 24:6 חָדְשִׁ֑י chadeshi HNp Hodshi Chodshi