טֵפַח
a spread of the hand, i.e. a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm)
Definition
The Hebrew word טֵפַח (ṭêphach) primarily refers to a 'hand-breadth,' a small unit of measurement roughly equivalent to the width of a palm, distinct from the larger 'span' (זֶרֶת, zereth) measured from thumb to little finger. In architectural contexts, such as the descriptions of Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings 7:9 and 1 Kings 7:26, it denotes a 'corbel' or 'coping'—a projecting stone or brick structure that supports or crowns a wall. This dual meaning connects the human body (a palm's width) to construction techniques. In a metaphorical sense, Psalm 39:5 uses 'hand-breadth' to poetically express the brevity and smallness of human life before God.
Biblical Usage
טֵפַח appears four times in the Old Testament, exclusively in literary and descriptive contexts. It is used in architectural descriptions within the historical books: three times in accounts of Solomon's Temple construction (1 Kings 7:9, 1 Kings 7:26; also 2 Chronicles 4:5) to specify the thickness of structural elements like the temple foundation or the molten sea's rim. Its single poetic use is in Psalm 39:5, where David laments the fleeting nature of human existence, stating his lifespan is merely a 'hand-breadth' before God.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb טָפַח (ṭāphach, H2946), which means 'to spread out' or 'to span.' This root conveys the action of extending the hand, directly informing the noun's primary meaning as a measurement based on the spread palm. The architectural sense of a 'corbel' likely developed because such a supporting projection resembles an outstretched hand holding up a structure.
Semantic Range
Though a measurement term, טֵפַח carries theological weight in its poetic application. In Psalm 39:5, it becomes a powerful metaphor for human mortality and humility before the eternal God. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of this psalm, moving beyond a simple measurement to a vivid image of life's transience, prompting reflection on dependence on God and the proper use of our limited time. The architectural usage in temple descriptions also subtly connects God's ordered, detailed design for worship with a human-scale measurement.
In ancient Israelite culture, body parts (hand, cubit, span) were common units of measurement, making טֵפַח a practical, everyday term. The 'hand-breadth' was a standardized small measure, crucial for precise craftsmanship, especially in sacred projects like the temple. The architectural meaning as a 'corbel' reflects advanced building techniques of the period, where such supports were essential for stability and design. The metaphorical use in poetry draws on this tangible, familiar measurement to make an abstract concept (life's brevity) deeply relatable.
זֶרֶת (zereth, H2239) — a 'span,' a larger measurement from thumb to little finger; אַמָּה (ʼammâ, H520) — a 'cubit,' a much longer measurement based on the forearm.
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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