טָפַח
𐤈𐤐𐤇
ṭâphach
H2946 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To spread out or extend, particularly with the palms, commonly used of spreading or flattening objects such as a tent or garment. In specific contexts, it can denote measuring with the hand (as in a span, or טֵפַח), as well as gesturing broadly, or swaddling an infant. The core idea involves the extension or displacement of the hand or object, whether literal (spreading/stretching) or figurative (handling/caring for).
Semantic Range
spread out, extend, flatten, stretch (esp. a tent or garment), measure with the span (span as a unit), support/carry (by hand), swaddle an infant, nurse (rare, figurative)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root טָפַח (ṭ-p-ḥ), with the verb form meaning 'to spread out, extend.' It may be denominative from the noun טֵפַח (ṭēfaḥ), meaning 'span' (a unit of measure equal to the width of the outstretched hand). The core root sense is 'to spread, open the hand' and, by extension, 'to extend.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
טָפַח appears in a small number of biblical passages, often linked with actions involving the hands, such as spreading out the palm when measuring a span or stretching out objects like tents or garments. The figurative extension to 'nursing' or 'dandling' comes from the broader motif of supporting or upholding something with the hands, but this is rare and often context-dependent. The term is distinct from related verbs such as פָּרַשׂ (pāraś, 'to spread out'), though both can be used in the context of extending objects. In later Hebrew, the root largely retains the meaning of 'to spread' or 'to flatten.' English versions may emphasize measurement ('span') or swaddling/nursing, but the central semantic field is manual extension or flattening, with secondary figurative applications. The KJV and related translations sometimes use the term in connection with nursing or care, but this is a less common biblical usage. There is no theological connotation to its primary meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; or perhaps a denominative from טֵפַח, from dandling on the palms; to flatten out or extend (as a tent); figuratively, to nurse achild (as promotive of growth); span, swaddle.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טפח (ṭ-p-ḥ) — to spread with the hand, to extend, to flatten, to measure by the span
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2947 | טֵפַח | the palm-breadths |
| H2948 | טֹפַח | a palm-breadth |
| H2949 | טִפֻּח | hand-spans |
| H4304 | מִטְפַּחַת | the spread-cloth wrap |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2946-02 |
טִפְּחָ֣ה | tipechah | HVpp3fs |
spread out | she spread wide | 1 |
H2946-01 |
טִפַּ֥חְתִּי | tipacheti | HVpp1cs |
I-nurtured | I spread out | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2946-02 |
Isaiah 48:13 | טִפְּחָ֣ה | tipechah | HVpp3fs |
spread out | she spread wide |
H2946-01 |
Lamentations 2:22 | טִפַּ֥חְתִּי | tipacheti | HVpp1cs |
I-nurtured | I spread out |