טָבוּל
𐤈𐤁𐤅𐤋
ṭâbûwl
H2871 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A head covering, specifically a turban or cloth, characterized by having been dyed or colored. The term refers to an item of attire recognized by its coloration, rather than its form alone. In its biblical context, it commonly denotes a head wrapping made of dyed fabric, worn as part of ceremonial or distinctive clothing.
Semantic Range
dyed (description of textile), turban/headwear of dyed material, colored attire, distinctive head covering
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root טבל (ṭ-b-l), meaning 'to dip, immerse, plunge.' טָבוּל (ṭâbûwl) is the passive participle, literally 'having been dipped' or 'having been immersed,' and by extension, 'having been dyed,' referring to the process of coloring textiles by immersing them in dye.
Historical & Contextual Notes
טָבוּל appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is used to describe headwear distinguished by its colorful or dyed nature, particularly in Ezekiel 23:15. The term emphasizes the dyed quality of the fabric, frequently associated with luxury, status, or ceremonial attire in the ancient Near East. Unlike other head coverings (such as צָנִיף [ṣānîph], 'turban' or מִצְנֶפֶת [mitsnefet], 'priestly turban'), טָבוּל highlights the process or result of dyeing rather than the item’s status or function. Standard English translations sometimes simply use 'turban' or 'headband,' which may lose the primary nuance of dyed or vividly colored material. The concept of 'dyed attire' signified not only aesthetic value but social distinction during the monarchic period, particularly among elites and foreign dignitaries. Over time, the distinction between types of headwear became more pronounced, but טָבוּל retained its association with colored or dyed textiles.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
passive participle of טָבַל; properly, dyed, i.e. a turban (probably as of colored stuff); dyed attire.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טבל (ṭ-b-l) — to dip, immerse, plunge
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2871-01 |
טְבוּלִים֙ | tevulim | HNcmpa |
turbans | dyed head-coverings | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2871-01 |
Ezekiel 23:15 | טְבוּלִים֙ | tevulim | HNcmpa |
turbans | dyed head-coverings |