or תִּפְאֶרֶת; from פָּאַר; ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively); beauty(-iful), bravery, comely, fair, glory(-ious), honour, majesty.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H8597 (תִּפְאָרָה, *tiphʼârâh*), also appearing as תִּפְאֶרֶת (*tiphʼereth*), derives from the root פָּאַר (pa'ar, `{{H6286}}`), which signifies "to glorify, beautify, adorn." At its core, tiphʼârâh denotes an "ornament" or "adornment," but its semantic range extends far beyond mere physical decoration. It encompasses abstract concepts such as beauty, splendor, glory, honor, and majesty.
The term can refer to:
* **Aesthetic Beauty:** The comeliness or fairness of a person or thing.
* **Splendor/Magnificence:** The impressive or magnificent quality of something, often associated with grandeur.
* **Glory/Honor:** A state of high renown, distinction, or public praise. This can be attributed to individuals, nations, or, preeminently, to God.
* **Majesty:** The quality of being impressive and grand, often associated with royalty or divine power.
* **Pride/Excellence:** A source of pride or a peak of excellence.
* **Bravery:** In some contexts, it can denote the honor or glory gained through valor.
Thus, tiphʼârâh captures both an external manifestation of beauty or splendor and an intrinsic quality of honor, glory, or majesty.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Tiphʼârâh appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, illuminating its diverse applications:
* **Human Adornment and Beauty:** It can refer to physical ornaments worn by people, as seen in [[Isaiah 3:18]], where the prophet lists various "ornaments" (תִּפְאָרָה) of the daughters of Zion. It also describes the inherent beauty or strength of individuals, such as the "glory" or "splendor" of young men in their strength ([[Proverbs 20:29]]). Gray hair is presented as a "crown of glory" (תִּפְאָרָה) when found in the way of righteousness ([[Proverbs 16:31]]).
* **National Splendor and Pride:** Nations can possess tiphʼârâh in terms of their power, wealth, or architectural grandeur. Babylon is described as the "glory of kingdoms" (תִּפְאֶרֶת מַמְלָכוֹת) in [[Isaiah 13:19]], highlighting its preeminence and splendor. Conversely, the destruction of a nation means the loss of its tiphʼârâh, as depicted in [[Jeremiah 13:11]] concerning Israel, who was meant to be a "glory" to God but became a source of shame due to disobedience.
* **Divine Glory and Majesty:** Most profoundly, tiphʼârâh is attributed to Yahweh. It describes His inherent splendor, majesty, and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. [[Psalm 96:6]] declares, "Strength and beauty (תִּפְאָרָה) are in His sanctuary." The voice of the Lord is described as glorious ([[Psalm 29:4]]). [[Psalm 104:1]] speaks of God being "clothed with splendor and majesty" (הוֹד וְהָדָר, `{{H1935}}` and `{{H1926}}`), with tiphʼârâh often appearing in parallel or synonymous with such terms, emphasizing His supreme and unapproachable glory.
* **Figurative Use:** The word can also represent honor or distinction given. Deborah tells Barak that the "glory" (תִּפְאָרָה) of defeating Sisera will not be his, but a woman's ([[Judges 4:9]]), indicating the honor of victory.
### Related Words & Concepts
Tiphʼârâh is frequently used alongside or in parallel with other Hebrew terms for glory, honor, and beauty, enriching its meaning:
* **כָּבוֹד (kavod, `{{H3519}}`):** This is perhaps the most common word for "glory," often denoting weight, substance, or the manifest presence of God. While kavod emphasizes the inherent, weighty glory, tiphʼârâh often highlights the splendor, beauty, and majesty that emanates from that glory.
* **הוֹד (hod, `{{H1935}}`):** Meaning "splendor," "majesty," or "vigor," hod is frequently associated with divine or royal authority and grandeur. Tiphʼârâh and hod often appear together, as in [[1 Chronicles 29:11]], where both are attributed to God, signifying His supreme reign and magnificence.
* **הָדָר (hadar, `{{H1926}}`):** This term refers to "splendor," "honor," or "majesty," often used for outward pomp or dignity. Like hod, hadar frequently parallels tiphʼârâh to express the fullness of divine or earthly glory.
* **יְפִי (yophi, `{{H3308}}`):** This word specifically denotes "beauty" or "comeliness," often referring to physical attractiveness. While tiphʼârâh can encompass physical beauty, it extends to a broader sense of splendor and honor that yophi does not fully capture.
These related terms highlight that tiphʼârâh is part of a rich vocabulary describing the multifaceted nature of glory, ranging from physical adornment to the profound majesty of the Divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of tiphʼârâh is profound, especially in its application to God and His relationship with humanity:
* **The Inherent Glory of God:** Tiphʼârâh primarily points to the intrinsic splendor, majesty, and awe-inspiring beauty of Yahweh. It is not an acquired attribute but an essential aspect of His being, demonstrating His supreme power, holiness, and perfection. When the psalmist speaks of God being "clothed with splendor and majesty" ([[Psalm 104:1]]), tiphʼârâh (or its related forms) underscores the unapproachable and glorious nature of the Creator. This divine tiphʼârâh evokes worship, reverence, and adoration.
* **Israel as God's Glory:** A significant theological theme is Israel's calling to be God's tiphʼârâh among the nations. God intended His people to reflect His character and glory, drawing others to Him. [[Jeremiah 13:11]] powerfully illustrates this, lamenting how Israel, once intended to be a "glory" to God, became a source of shame due to their unfaithfulness. This highlights the conditional nature of human glory, which is dependent on obedience and covenant faithfulness.
* **Humanity's Fleeting vs. Divine Enduring Glory:** While humans can possess tiphʼârâh in terms of beauty, strength, or honor, the Scriptures often contrast this fleeting human glory with the eternal and unchanging tiphʼârâh of God. The "glory" of youth fades ([[Proverbs 20:29]]), but God's glory endures forever. This serves as a reminder to seek glory not in perishable things but in the eternal God.
* **The Future Hope:** The concept of tiphʼârâh also extends to the eschatological hope of Israel's restoration and the future glory of Zion. Prophets envision a time when God will restore His people to a state of honor and splendor, reflecting His own tiphʼârâh in the new heavens and new earth.
### Summary
H8597 (תִּפְאָרָה, *tiphʼârâh*) is a rich Hebrew term signifying ornament, beauty, splendor, glory, honor, and majesty. While it can describe physical adornments or human attributes like strength and comeliness, its most profound application is to the inherent, awe-inspiring splendor and majesty of God. It highlights His supreme glory, which demands worship and reverence. Furthermore, tiphʼârâh describes the intended glorious state of God's people, reflecting His character to the world, and contrasts the fleeting nature of human glory with the eternal tiphʼârâh of the Divine. Its usage underscores God's call for His people to live in a manner that brings honor to His name, ultimately participating in and reflecting His divine splendor.
TRV