טִפְסַר
𐤈𐤐𐤎𐤓
ṭiphçar
H2951 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A provincial official, overseer, or high-ranking official, particularly within an administrative, military, or governmental context; frequently denotes a governor or dignitary invested with authority by a dominant imperial power. The term usually indicates a non-Israelite, imperial or foreign appointee rather than an indigenous Israelite ruler.
Semantic Range
provincial official, administrator, high-ranking imperial officer, dignitary, military governor, captain, overseer
Root / Etymology
Etymology uncertain; likely of Akkadian or Persian origin. Not derived from a native Hebrew root, but borrowed into Hebrew during periods of foreign administration (e.g., Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, or Persian periods).
Historical & Contextual Notes
ֵטִפְסַר appears primarily in exilic and post-exilic texts, such as Daniel and Nahum, reflecting the administrative vocabulary of imperial powers ruling over the land of Israel. The term is likely borrowed, paralleling similar official titles found in Akkadian (e.g., tupšarru, 'scribe' or high official) and Old Persian contexts. It typically designates a foreign or imperial officer, not an Israelite leader. In English translations, it is sometimes rendered 'governor,' 'captain,' or 'officer,' but these terms may obscure its foreign connotations and specific role as an appointee of an empire. Its use illustrates the integration of foreign administrative structures within the biblical narrative during periods of foreign rule.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of foreign derivation; a military governor; captain.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טפסר (uncertain, loanword) (ṭ-p-s-r (uncertain)) — official, administrator, imperial officer
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2951-01 |
טִפְסָ֔ר | tifesar | HNcmsa |
a marshal | imperial provincial official | marshal | 1 |
H2951-02 |
וְ/טַפְסְרַ֖יִ/ךְ | vetafeserayikhe | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2fs |
and your officials | and your imperial officials | and your imperial officials | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2951-01 |
Jeremiah 51:27 | טִפְסָ֔ר | tifesar | HNcmsa |
a marshal | imperial provincial official | marshal |
H2951-02 |
Nahum 3:17 | וְ/טַפְסְרַ֖יִ/ךְ | vetafeserayikhe | HC/Ncmpc/Sp2fs |
and your officials | and your imperial officials | and your imperial officials |