טַבַּת
Tabbath, a place East of the Jordan
Definition
Tabbath is a proper noun referring to a geographical location east of the Jordan River, mentioned only once in the Bible. It is identified as a place to which the Midianite army fled in disarray after their defeat by Gideon's small force (Judges 7:22). The name's specific meaning is uncertain, but its location places it within the territory associated with the Israelite tribes of Gad or Manasseh. As a place name, it serves primarily as a geographical marker in the narrative of Gideon's victory.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Tabbath' is used only once in the Old Testament, in the historical book of Judges. It appears in the context of describing the chaotic retreat of the Midianite army after God caused them to turn their swords against each other. The verse (Judges 7:22) states the army fled 'as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.' Its usage is purely geographical, pinpointing a location in the flight path.
Etymology
The etymology of 'Tabbath' (טַבַּת) is uncertain. It does not derive from a clear Hebrew root, suggesting it may be a pre-Israelite Canaanite place name adopted into Hebrew. Some scholars have tentatively connected it to a root meaning 'good' or 'pleasant' (טוב, ṭôb, H2896), but this is speculative. Its derivation remains unknown, which is common for many ancient geographical names.
Semantic Range
As a place name, Tabbath's cultural context is its location in the Transjordan, an area often contested and on the frontier of Israelite settlement. Its mention helps map the extent of the Midianite rout, demonstrating the completeness of God-given victory. The name itself likely held local significance lost to modern readers, serving simply as a known landmark for the original audience of Judges.
No direct synonyms as a proper place name. Geographically related terms include: עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן (ʿēber hayyardēn, H5676) — 'beyond the Jordan,' the general region.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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