תַּיִשׁ
𐤕𐤉𐤔
tayish
H8495 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Male goat, specifically an adult male (he-goat) of the species Capra hircus. The term designates the animal as distinct from female goats (עֵז), often employed in contexts of animal husbandry, sacrificial rites, and metaphorical uses drawing on traits like strength or stubbornness. In sacrificial or cultic contexts, refers to a male goat offered as part of Israelite ritual practice or purification ceremonies. May be used generically or with symbolic meaning, reflecting physical prowess or leadership among herds.
Semantic Range
male goat, buck, he-goat; a male sacrificial goat; at times, metaphor for vigour or leadership in poetry or wisdom literature; rarely generic goat
Root / Etymology
Root: תיש (t-y-sh). The word תַּיִשׁ appears to derive from a root meaning 'to butt' or 'to strike', as might describe the characteristic behavior of a male goat; however, the root is not attested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew, thus the etymology remains uncertain. The noun תַּיִשׁ may be a Semitic primitive carrying the basic meaning of 'he-goat.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Throughout the Hebrew Bible, תַּיִשׁ appears mostly in legal, ritual, or narrative texts describing sacrificial animals or livestock. In cultic or Levitical contexts, a male goat was sometimes required for particular offerings (e.g., Numbers 7:17, Numbers 15:24). The masculine gender of the animal is significant, contrasting with עֵז (female goat). In post-biblical Hebrew, תַּיִשׁ retained its zoological meaning. The Septuagint commonly renders it as τράγος (tragos, 'he-goat'), while the Vulgate uses 'hircus.' In certain English translation traditions, the nuance of maleness is sometimes lost or rendered generically as 'goat.' In Ancient Near Eastern cultures, the he-goat symbolized virility, strength, and often led flocks, which may influence metaphorical usage in some poetic texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to butt; a buck or he-goat (as given to butting); he goat.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תיש (t-y-sh) — to butt, to strike, to attack (presumed)
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8495-03 |
וּ/תְיָשִׁ֖ים | uteyashim | HC/Ncmpa |
and he-goats | and he-goats | 2 |
H8495-02 |
תָ֑יִשׁ | tayish | HNcmsa |
he-goat | male goat | 1 |
H8495-01 |
הַ/תְּיָשִׁ֜ים | hateyashim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the male goats | the he-goats | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8495-01 |
Genesis 30:35 | הַ/תְּיָשִׁ֜ים | hateyashim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the male goats | the he-goats |
H8495-03 |
Genesis 32:15 | וּ/תְיָשִׁ֖ים | uteyashim | HC/Ncmpa |
and he-goats | and he-goats |
H8495-02 |
Proverbs 30:31 | תָ֑יִשׁ | tayish | HNcmsa |
he-goat | male goat |
H8495-03 |
2 Chronicles 17:11 | וּ/תְיָשִׁ֕ים | uteyashim | HC/Ncmpa |
and-he-goats | and he-goats |