טַף
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
Definition
The Hebrew noun טַף (ṭaph) primarily refers to the youngest and most vulnerable members of a household or community, specifically the little children. It is often used collectively in the singular to mean 'the little ones' or 'the children.' In a broader sense, it can encompass the entire family unit, including dependents and servants, as seen in contexts where entire households are being moved or counted (Genesis 45:19, Genesis 46:5). The word consistently carries a connotation of those who are dependent and in need of protection and provision.
Biblical Usage
טַף appears 42 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in the narrative books of Genesis, Numbers, and Joshua. It is frequently used in contexts of migration, captivity, or divine judgment, specifying who is included in a group. For example, it describes the children and dependents taken captive from Shechem (Genesis 34:29), the family members brought down to Egypt (Genesis 45:19), and those spared in the conquest narratives (Joshua 8:35). Its usage patterns highlight the inclusion of the entire community, from the smallest child upward.
Etymology
The word derives from the root טָפַף (ṭāphaph, H2952), which means 'to trip' or 'to take little steps.' This root vividly evokes the image of small children toddling or walking unsteadily. The connection suggests the core meaning of טַף is anchored in the physical characteristic of young children, from which it expanded to represent them as a collective group.
Semantic Range
טַף is theologically significant as it underscores God's concern for the entire covenant community, including its most vulnerable members. In narratives of promise, judgment, and salvation, the inclusion of the 'ṭaph' demonstrates that God's plans encompass whole families (Genesis 50:8, 21). Understanding this term enriches reading by highlighting the corporate nature of God's dealings with Israel and His intentional care for children within the biblical worldview.
In ancient Israelite culture, the 'ṭaph' represented the future and continuity of the family and tribe. They were not merely accessories but integral parts of the household's identity and labor potential. Their mention in contexts of war and migration signifies they were counted as part of the community's wealth and were subject to its collective fate, for good or ill, differing from modern individualistic perspectives.
yeled (יֶלֶד, H3206) — a more general term for a child, boy, or youth, often individual. na'ar (נַעַר, H5288) — a youth or young man, often a servant, with a focus on adolescence or service. mishpachah (מִשְׁפָּחָה, H4940) — a broader term for family, clan, or household, emphasizing relational ties rather than age.
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.
Full methodology & sources →