### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Tachath**, represented by `{{H8480}}`, is used to identify a place in the Desert as well as three Israelites. It appears 6 times across 5 unique verses. The term's usage is split between being a proper name for individuals within genealogies and a geographical marker for a location along Israel's wilderness journey.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H8480}}` functions in two distinct contexts. As a personal name, it appears in the genealogical records of the tribes of Levi and Ephraim. One Tahath is listed as a son of Assir and a descendant of Korah [[1 Chronicles 6:37]], while another is named as the father of Uriel in a different Levitical line [[1 Chronicles 6:24]]. Within the tribe of Ephraim, the name appears twice in the same lineage, identifying both a son and a later descendant of Shuthelah [[1 Chronicles 7:20]]. As a place, Tahath was one of the encampments for the Israelites during their exodus; they traveled from Makheloth to camp at Tahath [[Numbers 33:26]] before departing toward Tarah [[Numbers 33:27]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which Tachath appears:
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): This word is fundamental to the genealogical passages where Tachath is mentioned. The name is consistently presented as part of a lineage, such as "Tahath his son" [[1 Chronicles 7:20]] or "The son of Tahath" [[1 Chronicles 6:37]], establishing his place in the family line.
* `{{H5265}}` **nâçaʻ** (to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on a journey): This root describes the movement of the Israelites between their campsites. It is used when they "removed" from a previous location to Tahath [[Numbers 33:26]] and when they "departed" from Tahath to continue their journey [[Numbers 33:27]].
* `{{H2583}}` **chânâh** (to encamp): This verb specifies the action of settling at a location. It is used to state that the Israelites "encamped at Tahath" [[Numbers 33:26]], marking it as a temporary stopping point during their travels in the desert.
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H8480}}` is found in its function as a specific marker within Israel's historical and genealogical records.
* **Genealogical Identity:** The name Tachath serves to anchor individuals within the formal lineages of key Israelite tribes. Its inclusion in the records of Ephraim [[1 Chronicles 7:20]] and the Levites ([[1 Chronicles 6:24]], [[1 Chronicles 6:37]]) demonstrates the meticulous preservation of tribal identity and descent.
* **Wilderness Journey Landmark:** As a place name, Tahath is a specific, recorded stop in the Israelites' journey through the desert [[Numbers 33:26]]. It serves as a historical waypoint, memorializing a stage in the long trek from Egypt to the promised land.
* **Dual Application:** The use of Tachath for both people and a place illustrates how personal names and geography were intertwined in the biblical record, rooting the identity of individuals within the larger narrative of the nation's journey.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8480}}` is a specific proper name used to identify both people and a place. While it appears infrequently, it plays a precise role in the biblical text. As a personal name, it helps construct the genealogies of the tribes of Ephraim and Levi. As a place name, it marks a distinct stage in the Exodus narrative, contributing to the detailed account of Israel's journey under God's guidance. Tachath thus serves as a connector between personal ancestry and national history.
TRV