תָּפֵל
𐤕𐤐𐤋
tâphêl
H8602 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A substance applied as a coating or plaster, especially for walls; in extended or figurative use, anything lacking substance, cohesion, or genuine value—thus, folly, nonsense, or that which is insipid and unsound. Its usage ranges from physical mixtures or coatings lacking strength to metaphorical applications describing words, deeds, or people as superficial, empty, or lacking soundness.
Semantic Range
plaster, weak mortar, whitewash, insipidness, tastelessness, frivolity, folly, that which lacks substance or strength, unsoundness, superficiality
Root / Etymology
Root is uncertain; the term is traditionally connected to an unused root (possibly טפל) thought to mean 'to smear, daub, or plaster.' The connection is based on similar patterns in related Semitic languages, but there is no clear attested Hebrew verbal cognate. The noun develops a meaning of 'plaster' or 'whitewash,' extending to describe things or actions lacking real substance or solidity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Ezekiel (Ez 13:10-15), תָּפֵל refers to untempered mortar or whitewash—a weak plaster used metaphorically to describe deceptive, insubstantial assurances by false prophets. In other contexts (Job 6:6, Lamentations 2:14), it describes that which is tasteless, insipid, or lacking value—flattery, worthless prophecies, or foolishness. Ancient translators often rendered it as 'unsavoury,' 'untempered,' or 'foolish,' but the underlying metaphor ties together a physical substance that appears to provide support or flavor yet ultimately does not. The usage highlights critique of superficiality or lack of real substance—whether in physical construction, speech, or behavior.
Translation Consistency
Covers the central idea across the SILEX range — lacking substance, strength, or coherence — and fits both literal (weak mortar/plaster) and figurative (foolishness, emptiness) uses. It also matches the majority of existing P2 renderings ('unsound' 5×). More literal choices like 'plaster' are too narrow; more moralizing choices like 'folly' or 'nonsense' miss the physical/material sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to smear; plaster (as gummy) or slime; (figuratively) frivolity; foolish things, unsavoury, untempered.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טפל (ṭ-p-l) — to smear, to coat, to plaster
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2950 | טָפַל | they smeared |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8602-01 |
תָּפֵֽל | tafel | HNcmsa |
whitewash | unsound plaster | unsound plaster | 6 |
H8602-02 |
וְ/תָפֵ֔ל | vetafel | HC/Aamsa |
and delusion | and plastered-over | and delusion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8602-01 |
Ezekiel 13:10 | תָּפֵֽל | tafel | HNcmsa |
whitewash | unsound plaster | unsound plaster |
H8602-01 |
Ezekiel 13:11 | תָפֵ֖ל | tafel | HNcmsa |
plaster | unsound plaster | unsound plaster |
H8602-01 |
Ezekiel 13:14 | תָּפֵ֛ל | tafel | HNcmsa |
whitewash | unsound plaster | unsound plaster |
H8602-01 |
Ezekiel 13:15 | תָּפֵ֑ל | tafel | HNcmsa |
untempered mortar/whitewash | unsound plaster | unsound plaster |
H8602-01 |
Ezekiel 22:28 | תָּפֵ֔ל | tafel | HNcmsa |
whitewash | unsound plaster | unsound plaster |
H8602-01 |
Job 6:6 | תָּ֭פֵל | tafel | HAamsa |
that which is tasteless | unsound plaster | that which is tasteless |
H8602-02 |
Lamentations 2:14 | וְ/תָפֵ֔ל | vetafel | HC/Aamsa |
and delusion | and plastered-over | and delusion |