feminine of טֶבַח and meaning the same; {properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)}; flesh, slaughter.
Transliteration:ṭibchâh
Pronunciation:tib-khaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun טִבְחָה (ṭibchâh), transliterated as H2878, is the feminine form of טֶבַח (ṭebaḥ, `{{H2874}}`) and carries a largely identical semantic range. At its core, it refers to "something slaughtered." This foundational meaning branches into several distinct applications:
1. **The product of slaughter:** This most commonly signifies "meat" or "flesh," specifically an animal that has been butchered for consumption. It speaks to the physical sustenance derived from an animal's death.
2. **The act of slaughter:** In an abstract sense, it denotes "butchery" or "slaughter" as an action, often implying violence or extensive killing.
3. **The place of slaughter:** Less frequently, it can concretely refer to a "place of slaughter," though this is more commonly associated with related terms.
The word thus spans from the mundane provision of food to the grim reality of widespread destruction, always rooted in the cessation of life through violent means.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While specific occurrences of ṭibchâh (`{{H2878}}`) vary in context, they consistently illustrate its semantic breadth. When referring to "flesh" or "meat," the term often appears in narratives concerning sustenance and provision. For example, it might describe the ample supply of an animal prepared for a feast or for daily consumption, highlighting the practical aspect of food preparation in ancient Israelite life. In such contexts, ṭibchâh underscores the material blessing or the necessary provision for a household or community.
Conversely, ṭibchâh is also employed to depict "slaughter" in a violent and destructive sense. This usage frequently arises in passages describing military conflicts, divine judgment, or acts of severe cruelty. Here, the word emphasizes the comprehensive and brutal nature of death inflicted upon a large number of individuals or animals. This application evokes the terror and finality of widespread killing, often serving as a stark warning or a lament over devastation. Though not the primary term for cultic sacrifice, the underlying act of ṭibchâh (slaughter) is fundamental to the preparation of sacrificial animals, providing the raw material (flesh) for offerings.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of ṭibchâh (`{{H2878}}`) is rich with related Hebrew terms:
* **טֶבַח (ṭebaḥ, `{{H2874}}`):** The masculine counterpart, sharing the same core meaning of "slaughter," "meat," or "butchery." The close relationship between ṭibchâh and ṭebaḥ underscores their interchangeable usage in many contexts.
* **טָבַח (ṭābakh, `{{H2873}}`):** The verbal root from which both ṭibchâh and ṭebaḥ derive, meaning "to slaughter" or "to butcher." This verb describes the action itself, providing the foundation for the noun's meaning.
* **זֶבַח (zevach, `{{H2077}}`):** This noun specifically refers to a "sacrifice" or "offering." While ṭibchâh denotes the act of slaughter or the resulting meat, zevach emphasizes the *cultic purpose* of the slaughtered animal. The act of ṭibchâh is a prerequisite for a zevach.
* **מַטְבֵּחַ (maṭbēaḥ, `{{H4294}}`):** This term refers to a "place of slaughter" or a "slaughterhouse," indicating the physical location where the act of ṭibchâh occurs.
Concepts intimately tied to ṭibchâh include divine provision, human sustenance, violence, judgment, and indirectly, the sacrificial system.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ṭibchâh (`{{H2878}}`) is multifaceted, touching upon themes of life, death, provision, and judgment.
1. **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** When ṭibchâh refers to "meat," it points to God's gracious provision for humanity. The allowance to consume animal flesh, established after the Flood ([[Genesis 9:3]]), underscores God's care for His creation's physical needs. This aspect highlights the sacredness of life even as life is taken for sustenance.
2. **The Gravity of Sin and Judgment:** In its sense of violent "slaughter," ṭibchâh often serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the severity of divine judgment. It depicts the grim reality of a world marred by rebellion, where violence and death are rampant. This usage can evoke a sense of lament or underscore the necessity of God's righteous intervention against evil.
3. **Foundation for Atonement:** Although not a term for sacrifice itself, the act of ṭibchâh—the shedding of blood—is foundational to the Old Testament sacrificial system. The concept that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" ([[Hebrews 9:22]]) finds its practical expression in the ṭibchâh of an animal. This foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all ṭibchâh of Christ, whose life was laid down as the perfect sacrifice for sin, providing atonement and redemption.
### Summary
The Hebrew word טִבְחָה (ṭibchâh, `{{H2878}}`) is a versatile term signifying "something slaughtered." Its semantic range encompasses both the practical provision of "meat" for sustenance and the grim reality of violent "slaughter" or "butchery." Contextual analysis reveals its application in describing daily provisions, the horrors of war and judgment, and implicitly, the foundational act within the sacrificial system. Theologically, ṭibchâh underscores God's provision for life, the dire consequences of sin, and the necessary act of blood-shedding that points towards atonement and the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah. Its presence in the biblical text reminds the reader of the profound biblical perspectives on life, death, and redemption.
TRV