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טַבַּעַת

𐤈𐤁𐤏𐤕

ṭabbaʻath

H2885 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A circular ornamental or functional band, typically worn on the finger, sometimes used as a signet for sealing. In biblical contexts, primarily refers to a signet ring bearing an engraved seal, but can also denote finger rings more generally, including jewelry or objects of office. Semantic range includes items used for sealing, personal adornment, and symbols of authority or status.

Semantic Range

signet ring, ring (worn as ornament), administrative seal, object of authority, ring fitting (for objects or implements), jewelry

Root / Etymology

The word derives from the root טבע (ṭ-b-‘), meaning 'to sink, to impress, to stamp,' reflecting the function of a signet ring used to sink or impress a seal into clay or wax. The noun טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath) thus likely originally referred to the object that 'impresses' a mark, specifically the engraved signet ring, and then broadened to include rings of various sorts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, טַבַּעַת primarily denotes signet rings employed by individuals of status (e.g., Genesis 41:42, Exodus 28:11), often used for sealing documents or objects and thus functioning as both a practical and symbolic item. The language of 'removing the ring' is often associated with the transfer of authority (see the Pharaoh give Joseph his signet ring, Genesis 41:42). Besides their practical administrative use, rings could also serve as jewelry, as in statements of wealth or ornamentation (e.g., Exodus 35:22). The noun is not limited to finger rings: it also describes rings used as fittings or loops on objects such as furniture or the Tabernacle implements (e.g., the gold rings affixed to the ark for carrying poles, Exodus 25:12), though some scholars suggest these are related forms or derived by extension. English versions typically translate טַבַּעַת as 'ring' or 'signet ring.' Culturally, the association of rings with authority, security, or legitimacy has ancient Near Eastern parallels. The specific meaning in a given passage depends on context—either as jewelry, as administrative seal, or as a functional fitting. In post-exilic and later Judean usage, rings continued to serve as symbols of authority, but by then, the term was sometimes broadened or adapted in Greek and Aramaic contexts, sometimes rendered 'seal' or 'signet' in non-Judean translations.

Translation Consistency

primary "ring" 27 occurrences

‘Ring’ is the natural, broad English word that covers the primary senses in the SILEX entry—personal ornament, finger band, and the signet function—while matching the attested usage frequency (most occurrences appear as “rings”). It is simple, idiomatic, and can be qualified in context as ‘signet ring’ when the sealing/authority nuance needs emphasis.

Alternatives (23 occurrences):
"ring-signet-rings of" (15x) "signet-ring of" (4x) "signet-ring" (3x) "signet-rings" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from טָבַע; properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a ring of any kind; ring.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

טבע (ṭ-b-ʿ) — to sink, to impress, to stamp

Root טבע to sink, to impress, to stamp
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2883 טָבַע let me sink down
H2884 טַבָּעוֹת signet rings

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2885-11 טַבְּעֹ֣ת tabeot HNcfpc rings signet-rings of ring-signet-rings of 15
H2885-05 הַ/טַּבָּעֹ֔ת hatabaot HTd/Ncfpa the rings the signet-rings the rings 9
H2885-10 טַבָּעֹ֗ת tabaot HNcfpa rings signet-rings rings 5
H2885-01 בַּ/טַּבָּעֹ֔ת batabaot HRd/Ncfpa into the rings in the signet-rings in the rings 4
H2885-02 בְּ/טַבַּ֥עַת betabaat HR/Ncfsc with-signet-ring in a signet-ring of in a signet-ring of 4
H2885-09 טַבַּעְתּ/וֹ֙ tabaeto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his signet ring his signet-ring his signet-ring 3
H2885-06 מִֽ/טַּבְּעֹתָ֞י/ו mitabeotayv HR/Ncfpc/Sp3ms by its rings from his signet-rings from its rings 2
H2885-04 הַ/טַּבַּ֖עַת hatabaat HTd/Ncfsa the ring the signet-ring the ring 2
H2885-14 וְ/טַבַּ֤עַת vetabaat HC/Ncfsa and rings and signet-ring and ring 1
H2885-03 בְּ/טַבְּעֹת֙ betabeot HR/Ncfpc in the rings in signet-rings of in the rings of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

50 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2885-09 Genesis 41:42 טַבַּעְתּ/וֹ֙ tabaeto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his signet ring his signet-ring his signet-ring
H2885-11 Exodus 25:12 טַבְּעֹ֣ת tabeot HNcfpc rings signet-rings of ring-signet-rings of
H2885-10 Exodus 25:12 טַבָּעֹ֗ת tabaot HNcfpa rings signet-rings rings
H2885-10 Exodus 25:12 טַבָּעֹ֔ת tabaot-2 HNcfpa rings signet-rings rings
H2885-01 Exodus 25:14 בַּ/טַּבָּעֹ֔ת batabaot HRd/Ncfpa into the rings in the signet-rings in the rings
H2885-03 Exodus 25:15 בְּ/טַבְּעֹת֙ betabeot HR/Ncfpc in the rings in signet-rings of in the rings of
H2885-11 Exodus 25:26 טַבְּעֹ֣ת tabeot HNcfpc rings signet-rings of ring-signet-rings of
H2885-05 Exodus 25:26 הַ/טַּבָּעֹ֔ת hatabaot HTd/Ncfpa the rings the signet-rings the rings
H2885-05 Exodus 25:27 הַ/טַּבָּעֹ֑ת hatabaot HTd/Ncfpa the rings the signet-rings the rings
H2885-04 Exodus 26:24 הַ/טַּבַּ֖עַת hatabaat HTd/Ncfsa the ring the signet-ring the ring
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