תָּפַר
𐤕𐤐𐤓
tâphar
H8609 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To sew or stitch together, typically referring to joining pieces of fabric, leather, or other materials by means of needlework. The primary meaning involves manual joining by sewing, with contextual applications ranging from ordinary apparel making to figurative descriptions of concealing or fashioning (such as making coverings). In narrative and legal contexts, the term can refer to the literal act of sewing materials for clothing, veils, or other textile items.
Semantic Range
to sew together, to join by stitching, to make or repair with sewing, to fabricate or assemble (textiles), to construct clothing or coverings by sewing, to metaphorically join or conceal by sewing (in contexts suggesting deception or disguise)
Root / Etymology
The root תפר (t-p-r) is a verbal root meaning 'to sew' or 'to stitch.' The word derives directly from this root, indicating the physical act of sewing pieces together. The recognized core meaning at the root level is the physical action of joining by thread.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb תָּפַר is used with reference to practical, mostly domestic textile work, commonly associated with women in biblical contexts (e.g., Ezekiel 13:18). In Genesis 3:7, the root is used when the first humans sew fig leaves together. While ancient translations and later rabbinic interpretations may apply symbolic meanings—such as hiding or deceit in Ezekiel—the underlying concept remains concrete. There is no evidence that the verb radically shifted in meaning across biblical periods; its usage remains consistent, always denoting the making or joining of fabric, often for cover or clothing. In Ezekiel 13, its figurative application extends the core meaning to imply a kind of 'fabrication' or physical crafting that is part of a deceptive act, but this is a contextual extension, not a lexical change. English translations such as 'sew' or 'to stitch together' generally capture the term's core sense adequately, though sometimes do not reflect its capacity for extended metaphor in context. The term does not carry any distinctly religious, cultic, or ceremonial association in the biblical corpus, in contrast to specialized garment-making terminology elsewhere.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to sew; (women that) sew (together).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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תפר (t-p-r) — to sew, to stitch, to join by sewing
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8609-03 |
תָּ֭פַרְתִּי | tafareti | HVqp1cs |
I have sewed | I sewed together | 1 |
H8609-04 |
וַֽ/יִּתְפְּרוּ֙ | vayiteperu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they sewed | and they sewed together | 1 |
H8609-02 |
לִ/תְפּ֔וֹר | litepor | HR/Vqc |
to sew together | 1 | |
H8609-01 |
לִֽ/מְתַפְּר֨וֹת | limetaperot | HR/Vprfpa |
to-sewing | sewing women | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8609-04 |
Genesis 3:7 | וַֽ/יִּתְפְּרוּ֙ | vayiteperu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they sewed | and they sewed together |
H8609-01 |
Ezekiel 13:18 | לִֽ/מְתַפְּר֨וֹת | limetaperot | HR/Vprfpa |
to-sewing | sewing women |
H8609-03 |
Job 16:15 | תָּ֭פַרְתִּי | tafareti | HVqp1cs |
I have sewed | I sewed together |
H8609-02 |
Ecclesiastes 3:7 | לִ/תְפּ֔וֹר | litepor | HR/Vqc |
to sew together |