Bible Word Study
תְּלִי
tᵉlîy · a quiver (as slung)
תְּלִי
a quiver (as slung)
Definition
The Hebrew noun תְּלִי (tᵉlîy) refers to a quiver, specifically a container for holding arrows that is designed to be slung over the shoulder or hung from a belt for easy access. Its single biblical occurrence in Genesis 27:3 describes the quiver as part of Esau's hunting gear, emphasizing its practical, portable nature. The word inherently conveys the idea of something suspended or hung, derived from its root, which aligns with how a quiver would be carried by an archer or hunter. No other distinct meanings are attested in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 27:3, where Isaac instructs Esau to take his 'quiver' (תְּלִי) along with his bow as he goes out to hunt. The context is purely narrative and practical, describing the equipment of a hunter. There are no patterns of usage across different books or literary forms, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Etymology
תְּלִי is derived from the root תָּלָה (tālâ, H8518), meaning 'to hang' or 'to suspend.' This etymological connection directly informs its meaning, as a quiver is an item that is hung from the body. The noun form denotes an instrument or object associated with hanging. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian, support the sense of a hanging container.
Semantic Range
In the ancient Near East, a quiver was an essential piece of equipment for hunters and warriors, typically made from leather or cloth and designed to hold arrows securely while allowing for quick retrieval. The mention in Genesis 27:3 reflects the common practice of hunting for food, portraying Esau as a skilled outdoorsman in contrast to his brother Jacob. Understanding this object enriches the narrative by highlighting the tangible tools of Esau's favored, rugged lifestyle. אַשְׁפָּה (ʾashpâ, H827) — A more common biblical term for 'quiver,' often used in military or prophetic contexts (e.g., Isaiah 22:6, Job 39:23).
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]