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טָבַח

𐤈𐤁𐤇

ṭâbach

H2873 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To slaughter or butcher, primarily with reference to the ritual or systematic killing of animals, but at times extended to the mass killing or execution of people, especially in a context of violence or judgment. The term often implies intentionality, order, or ritual, as opposed to chaotic or accidental death.

Semantic Range

to slaughter (animals for food or sacrifice), to butcher, to kill in large numbers, to massacre, to execute, to slay (humans, especially in war or judgment), to prepare meat by slaughtering

Root / Etymology

From the root טבח, which originally conveys the act of slaughtering or butchering (particularly animals). The derived noun forms (e.g., טֶבַח) mean 'slaughter,' 'butchery,' or 'massacre.' The root applies both to ritual slaughter (sacrifice) and less frequently to violence against humans.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, טָבַח is most commonly used in contexts relating to the slaughter of animals, especially for food or sacrifice (e.g., Genesis 43:16, 'slaughtering for a meal'). It can also signify mass killing of people, as in military or judgment contexts (e.g., Judges 12:6), but this is less frequent and often narratively heightened to underscore brutality or divine judgment. While sometimes translated generically as 'kill,' טָבַח is more specific than verbs like הרג (harag, 'to kill') or מות (mût, 'to die'), since it implies an act of butchery or organized killing, not just any kind of death or homicide. English Bible versions do not always distinguish this nuance, sometimes rendering טָבַח as 'kill' even in contexts where 'slaughter' or 'butcher' would better convey the deliberate or gruesome connotation. In later biblical and post-biblical texts, related forms take on the sense of butchery or massacre, often inferring violence against people.

Translation Consistency

primary "slaughter" 11 occurrences

"Slaughter" best fits the typical semantic range: it naturally covers ritual/ordered killing of animals (butchering for food or sacrifice) and extends to mass killing or execution of people. It matches the majority of existing renderings, conveys intentionality and systemic action, and reads naturally in English across contexts where ṭâbach appears.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to slaughter (animals or men); kill, (make) slaughter, slay.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

טבח (Tevach) — to slaughter, kill, butcher

Root טבח to slaughter, to butcher, to kill systematically
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2874 טֶבַח to the slaughter
H2875 טֶבַח Tebach
H2876 טַבָּח the slaughterer
H2877 טַבָּח the slaughter-executioners
H2878 טִבְחָה for slaughtered meat

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2873-01 לִ/טְב֑וֹחַ litevocha HR/Vqc to the slaughter to slaughter to slaughter 4
H2873-02 טָבַ֖חְתָּ tavacheta HVqp2ms you-have-slaughtered you slaughtered you slaughtered 1
H2873-03 טָבַ֖חְתִּי tavacheti HVqp1cs I have slaughtered I slaughtered I slaughtered 1
H2873-04 טָבְחָ֣ה tavechah HVqp3fs she has slaughtered she slaughtered she has slaughtered 1
H2873-05 טָב֣וּחַ tavucha HVqsmsa slaughtered slaughtered one slaughtered 1
H2873-06 טְבֹ֤חַ tevocha HVqc slaughter to slaughter to slaughter 1
H2873-07 וּ/טְבָח֖/וֹ utevacho HC/Vqq3ms/Sp3ms and-slaughters-it and he slaughtered him and he slaughters it 1
H2873-08 וּ/טְבֹ֤חַ utevocha HC/Vqv2ms slay and slaughter and slaughter 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2873-08 Genesis 43:16 וּ/טְבֹ֤חַ utevocha HC/Vqv2ms slay and slaughter and slaughter
H2873-07 Exodus 21:37 וּ/טְבָח֖/וֹ utevacho HC/Vqq3ms/Sp3ms and-slaughters-it and he slaughtered him and he slaughters it
H2873-05 Deuteronomy 28:31 טָב֣וּחַ tavucha HVqsmsa slaughtered slaughtered one slaughtered
H2873-03 1 Samuel 25:11 טָבַ֖חְתִּי tavacheti HVqp1cs I have slaughtered I slaughtered I slaughtered
H2873-01 Jeremiah 11:19 לִ/טְב֑וֹחַ litevocha HR/Vqc to the slaughter to slaughter to slaughter
H2873-01 Jeremiah 25:34 לִ/טְב֑וֹחַ litevocha HR/Vqc of slaughter to slaughter to slaughter
H2873-01 Jeremiah 51:40 לִ/טְב֑וֹחַ litevocha HR/Vqc to the slaughter to slaughter to slaughter
H2873-06 Ezekiel 21:15 טְבֹ֤חַ tevocha HVqc slaughter to slaughter to slaughter
H2873-01 Psalms 37:14 לִ֝/טְב֗וֹחַ litevocha HR/Vqc to slay to slaughter to slaughter
H2873-04 Proverbs 9:2 טָבְחָ֣ה tavechah HVqp3fs she has slaughtered she slaughtered she has slaughtered
H2873-02 Lamentations 2:21 טָבַ֖חְתָּ tavacheta HVqp2ms you-have-slaughtered you slaughtered you slaughtered
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