The Hebrew word ṭîyach, represented by H2915, translates to mortar or plaster; daubing. It is a highly specific term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the scriptures. Its meaning is derived from the equivalent of H2902, a root word for smearing or plastering.
The single appearance of H2915 is in Ezekiel, within a prophecy against the false prophets of Israel. God asks a rhetorical question after the metaphorical wall they have built has collapsed: "Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?" Ezekiel 13:12. In this context, the daubing refers to the worthless plaster used to give a faulty wall a finished appearance, highlighting the futility and failure of the prophets' deceptive work.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of the imagery surrounding H2915:
- H2902 ṭûwach (to smear, daub, plaister): This is the verb form from which H2915 is derived. It is used repeatedly in Ezekiel 13 to describe the actions of the false prophets who "daubed it with untempered morter" Ezekiel 13:10. It is also used in a literal sense for plastering a house as part of a purification ritual Leviticus 14:42.
- H7023 qîyr (a wall): This is the object to which the daubing is applied. The daubing of H2915 is meaningless without the structurally unsound wall it is meant to cover Ezekiel 13:12. This word can also be used metaphorically to describe people who are like a "bowing wall" on the verge of collapse Psalms 62:3.
The theological significance of H2915 is tied directly to its singular, pointed usage in the book of Ezekiel.
- Symbol of Deception: The "daubing" serves as a metaphor for the empty and deceptive words of false prophets. They "daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies" Ezekiel 22:28, creating a superficial appearance of peace where there was none Ezekiel 13:10.
- Futility of False Works: The question "Where is the daubing?" Ezekiel 13:12 after the wall's collapse illustrates the ultimate futility of works not founded on God's truth. God himself promises to "break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter" Ezekiel 13:14, showing that such falsehoods cannot withstand divine judgment.
In summary, H2915 is a term whose importance far exceeds its frequency. Though it literally means daubing or mortar, its sole appearance in scripture imbues it with a powerful symbolic weight. It represents the superficial, deceptive, and ultimately futile nature of the false assurances offered by those who speak without God's authority. The word serves as a lasting biblical image for a worthless covering over a corrupt foundation, destined to be exposed and destroyed.
TRV