טִפֻּח
𐤈𐤐𐤇
ṭippuch
H2949 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A span, specifically a unit of measurement approximating the width of the outstretched hand (usually considered to be four fingers across), used as a standard for measuring length. In its rare occurrences, denotes the span of a hand and is used in contexts relating to measurement or dimension.
Semantic Range
span (unit of measurement), palm's width, measure of hand breadth; nursing (possible but contextually unsupported)
Root / Etymology
The word derives from the root טָפַח (ṭāfaḥ), meaning 'to spread, extend, or stretch.' טִפֻּח (ṭippuach) is a nominal formation describing the result or instrument of this action, i.e., a span or something measured by spreading the hand. The morphology indicates a substantivized participle or noun of action/result formed from the root.
Historical & Contextual Notes
טִפֻּח appears extremely rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is typically associated with ancient Israelite measurements. As a physical measure, it reflects the practical reality of body-based systems common in the ancient Near East, where the human body served as a reference for standardized lengths; related terms include אָמָה (cubit, forearm) and זֶרֶת (zeret, also 'span,' but likely referencing a slightly different dimension, typically the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger). English translations such as 'span' attempt to capture the measurement aspect, though the precise length can vary. The meaning is highly context-dependent and does not carry metaphorical or expanded senses post-biblically. Later Jewish tradition standardized these measures, but biblical usage does not consistently specify the exact length, instead employing such measures in architectural, cultic, or legal descriptions. Not to be confused with טָפַח (ṭāfaḥ) the verb, whose more general sense is 'to spread or extend.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from טָפַח; nursing; span long.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טפח (ṭ-p-ḥ) — to spread, to extend, to stretch
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2946 | טָפַח | I spread out |
| H2947 | טֵפַח | the palm-breadths |
| H2948 | טֹפַח | a palm-breadth |
| H4304 | מִטְפַּחַת | the spread-cloth wrap |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2949-01 |
טִפֻּחִ֔ים | tipuchim | HNcmpa |
nurtured | hand-spans | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2949-01 |
Lamentations 2:20 | טִפֻּחִ֔ים | tipuchim | HNcmpa |
nurtured | hand-spans |