passive participle of טָבַל; properly, dyed, i.e. a turban (probably as of colored stuff); dyed attire.
Transliteration:ṭâbûwl
Pronunciation:taw-bool'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H2871 (ṭâbûwl) functions as a passive participle derived from the verbal root H2881 (ṭābal), meaning "to dip" or "to immerse." Therefore, its core meaning is "that which has been dipped" or, more specifically, "dyed." The semantic range extends from this literal sense of coloration to describe an object characteristically identified by its dyed state. In its sole biblical occurrence, it refers metonymically to a specific item of clothing: a "turban" or "dyed attire," implying a head covering made of colored, likely luxurious, fabric. The emphasis is on the visual distinctiveness and richness imparted by the dyeing process.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H2871 (ṭâbûwl) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Ezekiel:
* [[Ezekiel 23:15]]: "Girded with sashes on their loins, with flowing turbans (H2871) on their heads, all of them princely in appearance, after the manner of the Babylonians in Chaldea, the land of their birth."
In this passage, Ezekiel employs vivid imagery to describe the spiritual adultery of Oholah (Samaria) and Oholibah (Jerusalem) through their illicit alliances with foreign nations. The "flowing turbans" (H2871) are part of the elaborate, princely attire of the Babylonians and Chaldeans, whose splendor and power captivated Israel and Judah. The term here emphasizes the luxurious and distinctive nature of this foreign headwear, which was likely made of richly dyed fabrics. The context underscores the allure of worldly pomp and the adoption of foreign customs, which led God's people astray from their covenant obligations. The single occurrence is potent, painting a picture of ostentatious display associated with the very nations that would ultimately bring judgment upon Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root H2881 (ṭābal), from which H2871 (ṭâbûwl) is derived. This root signifies the action of "dipping" or "immersing," which is the physical process by which an item becomes "dyed." Conceptually, H2871 is linked to:
* **Dyeing and Colors:** The word inherently points to the practice of coloring fabrics, a significant industry in the ancient Near East, often associated with luxury goods (e.g., purple, scarlet).
* **Attire and Adornment:** It belongs to a semantic field encompassing clothing, regalia, and personal adornment, particularly items denoting status or wealth. Other Hebrew words for headwear include H6776 (ṣānîp) (turban/diadem) and H4701 (miṣnefet) (priestly turban).
* **Foreign Influence and Idolatry:** In the context of [[Ezekiel 23:15]], H2871 is intimately connected with the broader themes of Israel's fascination with and imitation of foreign cultures, which often led to spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. The "dyed attire" represents the external trappings of the very nations whose practices God's people were forbidden to adopt.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H2871 (ṭâbûwl) is deeply embedded in its sole appearance within Ezekiel's prophetic indictment of Israel's spiritual harlotry. The "flowing turbans" serve as a potent symbol of the alluring, yet ultimately destructive, appeal of foreign cultures and their material splendor. For ancient Israel, the adoption of foreign attire and customs often signified a deeper spiritual compromise—a turning away from the covenant with Yahweh and an embrace of the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations.
The "dyed" aspect of the turbans highlights their distinctiveness and value, representing the worldly riches and prestige that Israel coveted over their unique relationship with God. In God's eyes, this admiration for the "princely appearance" of the Babylonians was not merely a matter of fashion but a symptom of a heart that had grown cold to His commands and hot for illicit alliances. Thus, H2871 functions as a metonym for the very seduction that led Judah into judgment, underscoring the divine displeasure with spiritual infidelity and the pursuit of worldly glory at the expense of covenant faithfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H2871 (ṭâbûwl), a passive participle of H2881 (ṭābal) ("to dip"), fundamentally means "dyed." Its single biblical appearance in [[Ezekiel 23:15]] uses it metonymically to describe "flowing turbans" or "dyed attire" of Babylonian princes. In this context, H2871 symbolizes the luxurious and distinctive foreign customs that captivated Israel and Judah, leading them into spiritual adultery and idolatry. The word powerfully contributes to Ezekiel's vivid portrayal of God's indictment against His people's unfaithfulness, highlighting the dangerous allure of worldly splendor over covenant loyalty.
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