טֶבַח
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely
Definition
The Hebrew noun טֶבַח (ṭebach) primarily refers to 'something slaughtered,' specifically a slaughtered animal or the meat from such an animal (Genesis 43:16, Proverbs 9:2). By extension, it can denote the act or place of slaughter, often with violent or sacrificial connotations, as in the 'slaughter' of nations in Isaiah 34:2 or the 'place of slaughter' in Isaiah 53:7. In some contexts, it simply means 'beast' or 'cattle' prepared for a meal, emphasizing the result of the butchering process.
Biblical Usage
טֶבַח is used 12 times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, wisdom, and prophetic literature. In narrative (Genesis 43:16), it refers to animals prepared for a feast. In wisdom literature (Proverbs 7:22, 9:2), it describes an ox led to slaughter, illustrating folly or provision. Its most significant usage is in prophetic books, where it depicts divine judgment—the slaughter of Edom (Isaiah 34:2, 6) and Moab (Jeremiah 48:15)—and, most famously, the suffering servant who is 'led as a lamb to the slaughter' (Isaiah 53:7).
Etymology
Derived from the root verb טָבַח (ṭāḇaḥ, H2873), meaning 'to slaughter' or 'to butcher.' This root conveys the action of killing an animal, typically for food or sacrifice. טֶבַח is the noun form, focusing on the result (the slaughtered thing) or the abstract concept/place of slaughter. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic 'dhabaḥa' (to sacrifice), reinforce its connection to ritual killing.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant, especially in Isaiah 53:7, where it prophetically describes the Messiah's sacrificial death—He is the innocent one led to 'slaughter' (טֶבַח) without protest, fulfilling the imagery of a sacrificial lamb. It also underscores God's judgment against nations (Isaiah 34:6, Jeremiah 48:15), portraying divine wrath as a decisive, violent act. Understanding טֶבַח enriches reading by connecting mundane butchering to profound themes of atonement and justice.
In ancient Israelite culture, slaughtering animals was a common practice for food and sacrifice. טֶבַח would evoke images of the butchering process, often done at a designated place. The term's use for judgment reflects a society familiar with ritual slaughter and warfare, where 'slaughter' implied total destruction. Modern readers might miss this visceral, concrete association, seeing it merely as a metaphor for death.
זֶבַח (zeḇaḥ, H2077) — a sacrifice or offering, often ritual; emphasizes worship rather than mere butchering. מַטְבֵּחַ (maṭbēaḥ, H4290) — a slaughter-place or altar; focuses on the location. שְׁחִיטָה (šəḥîṭâ) — the act of slaughtering; a later Hebrew term for ritual slaughter.
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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