טַבּוּר
𐤈𐤁𐤅𐤓
ṭabbûwr
H2872 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Navel; the central point or midpoint of something, most directly denoting the physical navel (umbilicus) of a person, but also metaphorically extended to refer to the central place or core of a location, such as the 'center' or 'midst' of a land. The primary lexical meaning is 'navel,' but it sometimes carries the extended sense of 'center' or 'hub' due to the anatomical centrality of the navel in the human body.
Semantic Range
navel (umbilicus), center, middle point, midst, hub
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: The word טַבּוּר (ṭabbûr) is a noun whose root is likely ט־ב־ר (though not otherwise attested in Biblical Hebrew and considered an 'unused' root). The root meaning would relate in some way to 'piling up,' 'heaping,' 'accumulation,' or possibly 'thickness' or 'centrality,' but this is conjectural. The lexical form טַבּוּר is likely a loanword from Akkadian (tabburu, meaning 'navel'), which also connotes the central point of something. Thus, the root in Biblical Hebrew is uncertain and may reflect a borrowing rather than native derivation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical usage, טַבּוּר (ṭabbûr) occurs infrequently and has both physical and metaphorical applications. In Ezekiel 16:4, it clearly refers to the navel as part of postnatal care imagery. In Judges 9:37 and Ezekiel 38:12, it is metaphorically applied to mean the 'center' or 'hub' of the land or a district, underlining the idea of geographic or symbolic centrality. In post-biblical Hebrew (Mishnah, etc.), the word retains both meanings but is more often anatomical. The metaphorical extension is comparable to Greek 'omphalos,' which also meant both 'navel' and the sacred 'center' of the earth (Delphi). English translations sometimes render טַבּוּר as 'midst,' 'center,' or 'navel,' depending on context, but 'center' may lose the body-based metaphor present in the Hebrew. No theological or later ethnic meanings (such as 'Jew') are present in this term's biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to pile up; properly, accumulated; i.e. (by implication) a summit; middle, midst.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טבר (ṭ-b-r) — to pile up, to heap up, to accumulate, central mass
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2872-01 |
טַבּ֣וּר | tabur | HNcmsc |
the center | navel of | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2872-01 |
Judges 9:37 | טַבּ֣וּר | tabur | HNcmsc |
the center | navel of |
H2872-01 |
Ezekiel 38:12 | טַבּ֥וּר | tabur | HNcmsc |
the center | navel of |