תַּלְפִּיָּה
𐤕𐤋𐤐𐤉𐤄
talpîyâh
H8530 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place name in Jerusalem, likely denoting a prominent site or structure, traditionally translated 'the Armory.' The word is associated with height or a raised place, possibly referring to an elevated or conspicuous building or area, such as a defensive tower, arsenal, or lookout. The term appears in context as a specific location rather than a common noun.
Semantic Range
prominent location, elevated place, armory, defensive structure, place name in Jerusalem
Root / Etymology
Etymology uncertain. Possibly from a root related to 'to be high, to tower.' The formation suggests a derived feminine noun, perhaps on analogy with place names or structures. The exact root and its meaning are not attested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew, making the derivation conjectural.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term תַּלְפִּיָּה (talpîyâh) occurs in Nehemiah 3:26, designating a location along the reconstructed wall of Jerusalem. Traditionally rendered 'the Armory' in English translations, this identification is based on the contextual association with city defenses rather than on intrinsic lexical meaning. The etymology and precise meaning are uncertain due to its hapax legomenon (once-used) status and the absence of securely related verbs or nouns elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew. Later rabbinic and exegetical traditions variously interpret the word as referring to a place of weapon storage or as 'the tower that turns (or overlooks) the face towards God,' but these are etymologically and historically conjectural. It is not a generic term for an armory in Hebrew but likely designates a specific, possibly elevated, district or structure in Jerusalem's fortifications during the Persian period. The translation 'Armory' may reflect a contextual guess more than a literal meaning. In post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, there is no direct descendant or term with similar form or sense.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine from an unused root meaning to tower; something tall, i.e. (plural collective) slenderness; armoury.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תלף (t-l-p) — to be high, to tower (uncertain)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8530-01 |
לְ/תַלְפִּיּ֑וֹת | letalepiot | HR/Ncfpa |
with rows | towering heights | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8530-01 |
Song of Songs 4:4 | לְ/תַלְפִּיּ֑וֹת | letalepiot | HR/Ncfpa |
with rows | towering heights |