טוֹפָפָה
𐤈𐤅𐤐𐤐𐤄
ṭôwphâphâh
H2903 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Ornamental band worn on the forehead, typically as part of women's attire; in biblical context, a decorative headband or diadem, associated with elements of personal adornment.
Semantic Range
ornamental headband, decorative forehead fillet, diadem, decorative band for the hairline
Root / Etymology
From the root טוף (uncertain/unused in the Hebrew Bible), possibly meaning 'to go around' or 'to encircle.' The noun טוֹפָפָה is a feminine form derived from this root, referring to an item that encircles or binds the forehead. The precise verbal form of the root does not occur in biblical Hebrew, and the connection to the sense of 'encircling' is based on comparative philology and context.
Historical & Contextual Notes
טוֹפָפָה occurs only in Isaiah 3:20 in the context of a list of luxury items worn by women in Jerusalem during the monarchic period. It refers to a decorative band or fillet worn on the forehead, likely a symbol of social status or beauty. Later Jewish tradition connects similar terms with ritual frontlets ('phylacteries'), but the biblical usage is purely ornamental, not religious. The translation of 'frontlet' is based on the item's position, but should not be confused with tefillin, which are ritual objects from a later period. KJV and some older translations use 'frontlet' or 'tiara,' but 'headband,' 'fillet,' or 'diadem' are more accurate for the biblical context. Similar items are attested archaeologically and in Near Eastern iconography. No evidence links the term to ritual use in the biblical period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to go around or bind; a fillet for the forehead; frontlet.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טוף (ṭ-w-p̄) — to go around, to encircle
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2903-01 |
לְ/טֹטָפֹ֖ת | letotafot | HR/Ncfpa |
as frontlets | encircling forehead-bands | 2 |
H2903-02 |
וּ/לְ/טוֹטָפֹ֖ת | uletotafot | HC/R/Ncfpa |
and for frontlets | encircling headbands | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2903-02 |
Exodus 13:16 | וּ/לְ/טוֹטָפֹ֖ת | uletotafot | HC/R/Ncfpa |
and for frontlets | encircling headbands |
H2903-01 |
Deuteronomy 6:8 | לְ/טֹטָפֹ֖ת | letotafot | HR/Ncfpa |
as frontlets | encircling forehead-bands |
H2903-01 |
Deuteronomy 11:18 | לְ/טוֹטָפֹ֖ת | letotafot | HR/Ncfpa |
frontlets | encircling forehead-bands |