### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma תִּפְסַח (Tiphçach, `{{H8607}}`) is a proper noun, derived from the root פָּסַח (pasach, `{{H6452}}`). While the root פָּסַח primarily signifies "to pass over," "to limp," or "to be lame," its application in תִּפְפַח shifts to denote a "ford" or a shallow crossing point in a river. As a geographical designation, it refers to a specific place, identified as Tiphsah (or Tipsah), a city located in Mesopotamia. The name itself likely originates from the city's strategic position as a significant ford on a major waterway, specifically the Euphrates River.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term תִּפְסַח (Tiphçach, `{{H8607}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible:
* **[[1 Kings 4:24]]**: "For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him."
In this solitary occurrence, Tiphsah functions as a crucial geographical marker, delineating the vast extent of King Solomon's dominion. The phrase "from Tiphsah even to Gaza" describes the northern or eastern boundary of his empire, stretching from the Euphrates River (Tiphsah, commonly identified with Thapsacus) to the Mediterranean coast (Gaza). This verse emphasizes the unprecedented scale of Solomon's kingdom, encompassing a wide array of tributary states and enjoying a period of profound peace and prosperity. The mention of Tiphsah underscores the strategic importance of controlling such a far-reaching territory, particularly a key crossing point on the Euphrates, which facilitated trade and military movements between Mesopotamia and the Levant.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **פָּסַח (pasach, `{{H6452}}`)**: The verbal root from which תִּפְסַח is derived. While פָּסַח is most famously associated with the "passing over" of the Lord during the Passover event (leading to the noun פֶּסַח (pesach, `{{H6453}}`)), its connection to a "ford" suggests a specific form of "passing over" – crossing a body of water. This illustrates how place names can retain semantic echoes of their etymological roots.
* **מַעֲבָר (ma'abar, `{{H4569}}`)**: This noun directly translates to "a crossing place," "ford," or "passage." It is a more general term for a river crossing, found in contexts such as Jacob crossing the Jabbok ford ([[Genesis 32:22]]) or the fords of the Jordan ([[Judges 12:5-6]]). While not etymologically related to תִּפְסַח, it shares the core concept of a strategic water crossing.
* **Geographical Boundaries and Dominion**: The use of Tiphsah in [[1 Kings 4:24]] aligns with a broader biblical theme of defining territorial limits and the scope of a ruler's authority. This theme is prevalent in descriptions of the Promised Land's boundaries ([[Numbers 34:1-12]]) and accounts of Israelite conquests, highlighting the divinely ordained extent of their inheritance and influence.
### Theological Significance
Though תִּפְסַח (Tiphçach, `{{H8607}}`) is primarily a geographical reference, its singular appearance carries significant theological weight within its context.
* The description of Solomon's dominion extending "from Tiphsah even to Gaza" serves as a powerful testament to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. This vast territorial reach, stretching to the Euphrates, directly corresponds to the land promised to Abraham and his descendants, as recorded in [[Genesis 15:18]]: "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates."
* Solomon's reign, characterized by unparalleled peace and prosperity, is presented as a direct manifestation of divine blessing and wisdom. The inclusion of Tiphsah as a boundary marker underscores the comprehensive nature of this blessing, signifying a golden age for Israel under a king who, at least initially, walked in God's ways. This period represents the pinnacle of Israel's earthly power and security, reflecting God's faithfulness to His people.
* The very identity of Tiphsah as a "ford" subtly resonates with the broader biblical narrative of journeys, crossings, and transitions, from the Red Sea deliverance to the crossing of the Jordan into the Promised Land. While Tiphsah itself is not a site of theological crossing, its function as a boundary marker on the Euphrates signifies the ultimate extent of God's provision and the secure borders He established for His chosen nation during this era.
### Summary
תִּפְסַח (Tiphçach, `{{H8607}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun derived from the root פָּסַח, meaning "ford." It designates a specific geographical location, identified as the ancient city of Thapsacus on the Euphrates River. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[1 Kings 4:24]] is crucial for defining the eastern/northern boundary of King Solomon's extensive and peaceful dominion, stretching "from Tiphsah even to Gaza." This verse highlights the unprecedented scope of Solomon's kingdom, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant regarding the promised land's boundaries. The inclusion of Tiphsah underscores the divine blessing and wisdom bestowed upon Solomon, leading to a period of remarkable peace and prosperity for Israel, and subtly echoing the biblical theme of journeys and boundaries.
TRV