תַּפּוּחַ
𐤕𐤐𐤅𐤇
Tapucha
H8599 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Tappûwach is a proper noun used for (1) two towns in the southern and northern regions of ancient Israelite territory, and (2) an individual from the lineage of Hebron. Its usage identifies specific locations, notably a town on the border of Ephraim and Manasseh (in the central hill country) and another in the land of Judah (in the Shephelah), as well as a descendant of Hebron mentioned in genealogical records. The name likely conveys a toponymic or personal association with the apple or fruit tree, but in naming contexts it primarily functions as a geographic or genealogical identifier.
Semantic Range
name of a town in southern Judah, name of a town on the border of Ephraim and Manasseh, name of an individual in Judahite genealogy; possibly 'apple tree' or 'fruitful place' by association
Root / Etymology
From the root תפח, meaning 'to swell, be swollen, luxuriant' (often associated with fruit bearing or roundness), from which also derives the common noun תַּפּוּחַ (tappûach, 'apple' or 'fruit'), suggesting a place or individual characterized by fertility or abundance. In the case of the proper name, the connection to 'apple tree' may be symbolic or descriptive, but not necessarily literal.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Tappûwach as a place name occurs in two main settings: (1) a city on the border of the territory allotted to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 16:8; 17:8); (2) a town in the lowlands of Judah (Joshua 15:34). The first Tappuach is also associated with the 'land of Tappuach' in the context of tribal allocation, suggesting the name may refer to a region with fruitfulness or a distinctive natural feature. As a personal name, Tappuach is listed as a descendant of Hebron (1 Chronicles 2:43). The term is best translated as a proper noun retaining its original pronunciation. While English versions historically render Tappûwach as 'Tappuah,' it is not appropriate to anachronistically refer to its residents as 'Jews' in the First Temple period; rather, they would have been considered Israelites or Judahites depending on location and era. The association with the Hebrew noun for 'apple' reflects a wider ancient Near Eastern pattern of naming people and places after notable natural features or valued agricultural produce.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as תַּפּוּחַ; Tappuach, the name of two places in Palestine, also of an Israelite; Tappuah.
Bantu Hebrew
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תפח (t-p-ḥ) — to swell, to be luxuriant, to bear fruit
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8599-02 |
תַּפּ֨וּחַ֙ | tapucha | HNp |
of Tappuah | Fruitful-Place | 3 |
H8599-03 |
וְ/תַפּ֛וּחַ | vetapucha | HC/Np |
and Tappuah | and Fruitful-Place | 2 |
H8599-01 |
מִ/תַּפּ֜וּחַ | mitapucha | HR/Np |
From Tappuah | from Fruitful-Tappuach | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8599-02 |
Joshua 12:17 | תַּפּ֨וּחַ֙ | tapucha | HNp |
of Tappuah | Fruitful-Place |
H8599-02 |
Joshua 15:34 | תַּפּ֖וּחַ | tapucha | HNp |
Tappuah | Fruitful-Place |
H8599-01 |
Joshua 16:8 | מִ/תַּפּ֜וּחַ | mitapucha | HR/Np |
From Tappuah | from Fruitful-Tappuach |
H8599-02 |
Joshua 17:8 | תַּפּ֑וּחַ | tapucha | HNp |
of Tappuah | Fruitful-Place |
H8599-03 |
Joshua 17:8 | וְ/תַפּ֛וּחַ | vetapucha | HC/Np |
but Tappuah | and Fruitful-Place |
H8599-03 |
1 Chronicles 2:43 | וְ/תַפֻּ֖חַ | vetapucha | HC/Np |
and Tappuah | and Fruitful-Place |