English · KJV
H2875

טֶבַח

Ṭebach /teh'-bakh/ Ask about this word
Rootthe same as טֶבַח
Meaningmassacre; Tebach, the name of a Mesopotamian and of an Israelite
KJV usageTebah.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Ṭebach — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word Ṭebach, represented by H2875, primarily functions as a proper name, Tebah. Its base definition also means massacre. It is a very specific term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire biblical text, where it identifies a single individual within a Mesopotamian lineage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H2875 is in the genealogical records of Genesis. In this passage, Tebah is named as one of the sons bare H3205 by Reumah, the concubine H6370 of Nahor, Abraham's brother. The verse states, "And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah" Genesis 22:24. This mention serves to document the expansion of Nahor's family line.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for Tebah's identity and familial setting:

  • H6370 pîylegesh (a concubine): This term defines the status of Tebah's mother, Reumah. The role of a concubine in bearing children for a patriarch is a recurring theme, also seen with Abraham Genesis 25:6 and Jacob Genesis 35:22.
  • H3205 yâlad (to bear young): This verb describes the act of Reumah giving birth to Tebah and his brothers. It is a fundamental word used to establish lineage and declare pedigrees throughout scripture Genesis 22:24.
  • H1514 Gacham (Gaham): This is the name of one of Tebah's brothers, listed immediately after him in the same birth announcement Genesis 22:24.
  • H8477 Tachash (Thahash): Another of Tebah's brothers, listed alongside him, Gaham, and Maachah as a son of Nahor's concubine Genesis 22:24.
  • H4601 Maʻăkâh (Maachah): The last of the brothers named in this specific lineage, connecting Tebah to other figures and places that would later bear the same name H8034 Genesis 22:24.

Theological Significance

The theological and narrative weight of H2875 is centered on its role within the biblical genealogies.

  • Documenting Lineage: The name's primary function is to contribute to the comprehensive record of Abraham's extended family, establishing the lineage of his brother Nahor.
  • The Role of Concubines: The context of Tebah's birth from a concubine H6370 is significant, illustrating a common practice in the patriarchal era for the continuation of a family line, as also seen with Abraham's household Genesis 25:6.
  • Establishing Posterity: By recording the name H8034 of each son, including Tebah, the narrative emphasizes the theme of posterity and the careful tracking of descendants that is foundational to the covenant promises in Genesis.

Summary

In summary, H2875 is a highly specific term used as the proper name Tebah. Its single occurrence in Genesis 22:24 firmly places it within a genealogical context, serving to document the family of Abraham's brother. While its root definition is "massacre," its biblical usage is strictly as a personal name, contributing a small but precise detail to the sprawling family histories of the Old Testament.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • טָּבַח
  • טֶבַח

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3205 יָלַד a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bea H6370 פִּילֶגֶשׁ or פִּלֶגֶשׁ; of uncertain derivation; a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour; concubine, paramour. H1514 גַּחַם from an unused root meaning to burn; flame; Gacham, a son of Nahor; Gaham. H8477 תַּחַשׁ the same as תַּחַשׁ; Tachash, a relative of Abraham; Thahash. H4601 מַעֲכָה or מַעֲכָת; (Joshua 13:13), from מָעַךְ; depression; Maakah (or Maakath), the name of a place in Syria, also of a Mesopo H8034 שֵׁם a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appel

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Genesis — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.