English · KJV
H2946

טָפַח

ṭâphach /taw-fakh'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · or perhaps a denominative from טֵפַח, from dandling on the palms
Meaningto flatten out or extend (as a tent); figuratively, to nurse achild (as promotive of growth)
KJV usagespan, swaddle.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ṭâphach — 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 ṭâphach, represented by H2946, is a primitive root with a dual meaning. It is used to signify the act of flattening out or extending, as in to span the heavens, and figuratively, to swaddle or nurse a child. Appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses, its rarity highlights two distinct aspects of God's character: His creative power and His nurturing care.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of H2946 provide a powerful contrast. In Isaiah 48:13, the word demonstrates God's immense power as the Creator, declaring that His right hand has spanned the heavens. This act of extending creation is a display of ultimate authority. Conversely, in Lamentations 2:22, the word illustrates profound intimacy and sorrow. The speaker laments that the very ones they have swaddled and brought up have been consumed by an enemy, showing a context of personal care met with tragic loss in the day of the LORD's anger.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illuminate the contexts in which ṭâphach is found:

  • H3245 yâçad (to set, found, establish): This word is used alongside ṭâphach in Isaiah 48:13, where God has "laid the foundation" of the earth. It reinforces the theme of God's sovereign power in creation.
  • H7235 râbâh (to increase, bring up, nourish): Appearing in Lamentations 2:22, this word is used in parallel with "swaddled" to describe how the children were "brought up." It emphasizes the parental and nurturing aspect of the relationship.
  • H7121 qârâʼ (to call out to): This word appears in both occurrences. In Isaiah 48:13, God's creative power is such that when He does call to the heavens, they stand up together. In Lamentations 2:22, it is God who has called the terrors that lead to destruction, linking His voice to acts of both creation and judgment.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H2946 is drawn from its two distinct applications:

  • Sovereign Creative Power: The use of "span" in Isaiah 48:13 establishes God's role as the measure and master of the cosmos. With His own hand H3027 and right hand H3225, He lays the foundation H3245 of the earth H776 and extends the heavens H8064, demonstrating His omnipotence.
  • Intimate Nurturing Care: The term "swaddled" in Lamentations 2:22 paints a picture of God's tender, parental relationship with His people. It signifies protection, care, and the promotion of growth, a deeply personal action.
  • Judgment and Loss: The context of Lamentations 2:22 reveals the consequence of sin. The same children who were swaddled are ultimately consumed by the enemy H341 as a result of the LORD's H3068 anger H639, showing that the God who nurtures will also execute judgment when His covenant is broken.

Summary

In summary, H2946 ṭâphach encapsulates a profound duality in God's nature. Though used sparingly, it portrays Him as both the immeasurable Creator who can span the universe and the intimate caregiver who can swaddle a child. This contrast provides a complete picture of a God whose immense power is matched by His personal care, and whose judgment is a tragic consequence of spurning that care.

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 verb across 2 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.

  • טִפַּחְתִּי
  • טִפְּחָה

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.

H3245 יָסַד a primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. set H7235 רָבָה a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake H7121 קָרָא a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly H3027 יָד a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applicat H3225 יָמִין from יָמַן; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, H776 אֶרֶץ from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, e

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

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah and Lamentations (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Isaiah
1
Lamentations

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.