תָּפַף
𐤕𐤐𐤐
tâphaph
H8608 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To play or beat a hand drum (often a frame drum or tambourine-like instrument); to celebrate festively by rhythmically striking a timbrel, especially in the context of communal rejoicing, religious procession, or ritual dance. The verb typically describes the act of creating rhythm with a hand-held percussion instrument accompanying singing or dancing.
Semantic Range
to beat/play a timbrel or tambourine, to celebrate by drumming, to accompany dancing with percussion, to provide rhythmic beat in ritual or communal settings
Root / Etymology
The verb תָּפַף derives from the root תָּפַף (t-p-p). Its core meaning relates to striking or beating, specifically the act of playing a small percussion instrument (likely the ancient Hebrew timbrel, known as תֹּף or תּוֹף). Unlike broader roots for 'strike' or 'beat,' תָּפַף is specialized for the musical and festive context of rhythmically playing the timbrel.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, תָּפַף describes an activity often performed by women in celebratory settings (e.g., Exod 15:20; Judg 11:34), especially on significant national or communal occasions such as victory celebrations or rituals. The timbrel (תֹּף) was a frame drum similar to the modern tambourine, used in music-making, dance, and religious festivities. English translations (e.g., KJV 'tabret,' 'timbrel') sometimes obscure the musical and gendered dimensions of the term. In post-exilic and later periods, the verb and its related practice become less frequent in biblical sources, reflecting shifts in musical practice. The verb is distinct from broader terms for music or dancing, emphasizing percussive accompaniment rather than, for example, stringed instruments or general festivity. Later translation traditions (such as 'play with timbrels' or 'taber') reflect the influence of early modern instruments and practices, though the biblical scene was distinct. Comparison to similar roots (e.g., נָגַן 'to play [a stringed instrument]') highlights תָּפַף as specific to small hand percussion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to drum, i.e. play (as) on the tambourine; taber, play with timbrels.
Bantu Hebrew
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תףף (t-p-p) — to beat, to strike rhythmically, to play a timbrel
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8608-01 |
מְתֹפְפֹ֖ת | metofefot | HVmrfpa |
cooing | the timbrel-drumming women | 1 |
H8608-02 |
תּוֹפֵפֽוֹת | tofefot | HVqrfpa |
playing tambourines | female timbrel-beaters | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8608-01 |
Nahum 2:8 | מְתֹפְפֹ֖ת | metofefot | HVmrfpa |
cooing | the timbrel-drumming women |
H8608-02 |
Psalms 68:26 | תּוֹפֵפֽוֹת | tofefot | HVqrfpa |
playing tambourines | female timbrel-beaters |