תַּיִשׁ
a buck or he-goat (as given to butting)
Definition
The Hebrew word תַּיִשׁ (tayish) refers specifically to a male goat, particularly a mature he-goat or buck. It emphasizes the animal's strength and butting behavior, as seen in its use for breeding stock in Genesis 30:35 and as a valuable component of a gift in Genesis 32:14. In Proverbs 30:31, the tayish is listed among things that are 'stately in their stride,' highlighting its dignified, leader-like bearing among goats. The term consistently denotes a male goat of quality, often in contexts of possession, offering, or symbolic representation of leadership.
Biblical Usage
תַּיִשׁ appears four times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and wisdom literature. It is used in practical contexts of livestock and wealth: Jacob separates speckled and spotted tayish from Laban's flocks (Genesis 30:35) and includes them in his gift to Esau (Genesis 32:14). It also appears in a list of tribute items (2 Chronicles 17:11) and as a metaphor for confident leadership in the animal kingdom (Proverbs 30:31). The usage pattern shows it as a tangible asset and a symbol of virility or authority.
Etymology
Derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to butt' or 'to strike,' תַּיִשׁ directly connects to the animal's characteristic behavior. This root idea is reflected in the word's consistent association with the strong, mature male goat, as opposed to younger or female goats. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, reinforcing the core meaning of a butting he-goat.
Semantic Range
While primarily a zoological term, תַּיִשׁ gains theological resonance in its symbolic use. In Proverbs 30:31, it is one of four things 'stately in their stride,' a metaphor for confident, legitimate leadership. This places the creature within a wisdom framework reflecting God's design in creation. Its role in Jacob's story (Genesis 30-32) also ties it to themes of providence, blessing, and reconciliation, as these goats are part of God's fulfillment of promise and instruments of peacemaking.
In ancient Israelite culture, the תַּיִשׁ was a significant economic asset, representing wealth and breeding potential within a pastoral society. Its inclusion in tribute lists (2 Chronicles 17:11) underscores its value. The metaphor in Proverbs 30:31 relies on the common observation of a he-goat leading the flock with assurance, a familiar image that conveyed ideas of kingly or military authority to the original audience.
עַתּוּד (attud, H6260) — a general term for male goat, often used in ritual/sacrificial contexts (e.g., Isaiah 1:11). צָפִיר (tsaphir, H6842) — a he-goat, sometimes used in visionary or symbolic contexts (e.g., Daniel 8:5).
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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