of uncertain derivation; Tabbath, a place East of the Jordan; Tabbath.
Transliteration:Ṭabbath
Pronunciation:tab-bath'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term טַבַּת (Ṭabbath, `{{H2888}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a geographical place name. Its derivation is explicitly stated as "uncertain," meaning there is no known root word from which its meaning can be etymologically extracted. Unlike many biblical place names that carry inherent descriptive or historical significance in their etymology (e.g., Beer-sheba, "well of the oath"), Tabbath's meaning is solely its identification as a specific location. Therefore, its semantic range is limited to this geographical referent, denoting a particular spot east of the Jordan River.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Tabbath (`{{H2888}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Judges:
* [[Judges 7:22]]: "When the three hundred blew their trumpets, the Lord set every man's sword against his fellow throughout the camp, and the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath."
This solitary occurrence places Tabbath within the narrative of Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites. Following the divine strategy that led to the Midianite army turning upon itself, the remaining forces fled. The verse meticulously tracks their flight path, mentioning Beth-shittah, Zererah (likely a variant of Zarethan, `{{H6891}}`), Abel-meholah, and finally Tabbath. This detailed geographical description serves to delineate the extent of the rout and pursuit. Tabbath marks one of the furthest points to which the Midianite forces were driven, confirming the completeness of their defeat. Its location "east of the Jordan" aligns with the general area of the Midianite encampment and the subsequent pursuit through the Jordan Valley. The mention of Tabbath, therefore, is purely descriptive, serving to anchor the historical event in a precise geographical reality.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given that טַבַּת (Ṭabbath, `{{H2888}}`) is a unique proper noun with an uncertain derivation, it has no direct etymological relatives or semantic parallels within the Hebrew lexicon. It does not share a root with other words that might illuminate its meaning or usage.
However, it is contextually related to other geographical markers in the same passage that define the scope of Gideon's victory. These include:
* Beth-shittah (בֵּית הַשִּׁטָּה): "house of the acacia," another place name mentioned in [[Judges 7:22]].
* Zererah (צְרֵרָה): A place likely identifiable with Zarethan (צָרְתָן, `{{H6891}}`), also mentioned in [[Judges 7:22]] and elsewhere in biblical geography (e.g., [[Joshua 3:16]], [[1 Kings 4:12]]).
* Abel-meholah (אָבֵל מְחוֹלָה): "meadow of dancing," the hometown of Elisha the prophet ([[1 Kings 19:16]]), also referenced in [[Judges 7:22]].
These names collectively paint a picture of the terrain over which the Midianite defeat unfolded. The concept of detailed geographical naming in biblical narrative, even for seemingly minor locations like Tabbath, underscores the historicity of the accounts and God's interaction with specific places and peoples.
### Theological Significance
While Tabbath (`{{H2888}}`) itself, as a single, obscure place name with no discernible etymological meaning, holds no intrinsic theological weight, its sole appearance in [[Judges 7:22]] contributes to the broader theological narrative of God's faithfulness and Israel's deliverance.
1. **Witness to Divine Action:** Tabbath serves as a geographical marker of the complete and decisive victory granted by God through Gideon. The Midianites were not merely defeated but utterly routed and pursued to the very borders of their territory. The specificity of the location, even if obscure to modern readers, would have affirmed to the ancient Israelite audience the concrete reality of God's intervention. It testifies that God's deliverance is not abstract but manifests in specific times and places.
2. **Fulfillment of God's Promise:** The rout of the Midianites, extending to places like Tabbath, signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver Israel from oppression. It underscores the principle that God works through humble means (Gideon's small army, trumpets, and jars) to achieve mighty ends, ensuring that the glory belongs solely to Him.
3. **Historical Veracity:** The inclusion of such a specific, albeit minor, geographical detail lends credence to the historical reliability of the biblical account. It grounds the miraculous events in real-world geography, reinforcing the truthfulness of the narrative for those who would have been familiar with the region.
Thus, Tabbath, though a silent witness, stands as a geographical testament to a pivotal moment of divine deliverance in Israel's history.
### Summary
Tabbath (טַבַּת, `{{H2888}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun referring to a specific geographical location situated east of the Jordan River. Its derivation is uncertain, meaning its meaning is solely its identity as a place. It appears only once in the Bible, in [[Judges 7:22]], where it marks the furthest extent of the pursuit of the Midianite army after Gideon's miraculous victory. Though a minor detail, its inclusion highlights the historical veracity of the biblical narrative and serves as a silent witness to the completeness of God's deliverance of Israel from their oppressors. It is contextually related to other geographical markers in the same passage, collectively delineating the scene of divine triumph.
TRV