### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ṭabbâchâh**, represented by `{{H2879}}`, provides the specific term for a female **cook**. As the feminine form of a related word for a cook or butcher, its singular appearance in scripture is noteworthy. It is found only **1 time** in **1 unique verse**, highlighting a very specific role within a particular context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole use of `{{H2879}}` occurs in [[1 Samuel 8:13]]. In this passage, the prophet Samuel is warning the Israelites about the consequences of their demand for a king. He outlines the various ways a monarch will exert his authority, stating that the king "will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be **cooks**, and to be bakers" [[1 Samuel 8:13]]. The context is one of royal conscription, where women would be taken from their families to serve in the king's household.
### Related Words & Concepts
The verse where `{{H2879}}` appears links it directly to other terms describing labor and roles within a royal court:
* `{{H3947}}` **lâqach** (to take): This is the action performed by the king. Its definition includes "to take (in the widest variety of applications)," encompassing everything from seizing and carrying away to simply receiving. In this context, it describes the king's prerogative to conscript individuals for his service [[1 Samuel 8:13]].
* `{{H7548}}` **raqqâchâh** (a female perfumer; confectioner): This role is listed alongside **cooks**. The term specifies a woman skilled in preparing perfumes or confections, indicating a high degree of specialization in the royal household [[1 Samuel 8:13]].
* `{{H644}}` **ʼâphâh** (to cook, especially to bake): The appearance of **bakers** in the same list further defines the domestic and culinary structure of the court. The role of a baker was a recognized profession, as seen in the mention of the "bakers' street" in Jerusalem [[Jeremiah 37:21]].
### Theological Significance
While not a major theological term, the use of `{{H2879}}` carries significant social and political implications within its biblical context:
* **Royal Prerogative:** The word is part of Samuel's warning about the cost of earthly kingship. The king's power to **take** `{{H3947}}` daughters to serve as **cooks** demonstrates the authority a monarch would hold over the lives and families of his subjects [[1 Samuel 8:13]].
* **Structured Domestic Labor:** The listing of **confectionaries** `{{H7548}}`, **cooks** `{{H2879}}`, and **bakers** `{{H644}}` in a single breath points to a well-organized and specialized staff required to maintain a royal household.
* **Cost of Government:** The passage serves as a sober reminder of the burdens that come with a centralized monarchy, contrasting it with the previous system of judges. The service of these **cooks** is not voluntary but a demand placed upon the people.
### Summary
In summary, **ṭabbâchâh** `{{H2879}}` is a highly specific term whose importance comes not from frequent use, but from its singular, impactful appearance. While it simply means a female **cook**, its context in [[1 Samuel 8:13]] provides a clear illustration of the social costs associated with the establishment of a monarchy in Israel. It is a detail that enriches our understanding of the political and domestic realities of the time, captured in Samuel's prophetic warning to the people.
TRV