Lexical Summary tibchah: Slaughter, Slaughtered meat Original Word: טִבְחָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance flesh, slaughter Feminine of tebach and meaning the same -- flesh, slaughter. see HEBREW tebach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of tebach Definition thing slaughtered, slaughtered meat, slaughter NASB Translation meat (1), slaughter (1), slaughtered (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs טִבְחָה noun feminine thing slaughtered, slaughtered meat, slaughter — l. suffix טִבְחָתִי as accusative of congnate meaning with verb after טָבַח 1 Samuel 25:11 of meat killed for food: 2 slaughter for food (= I. טֶבַח 1): ׳כְּצאֹן ט Psalm 44:23 like a flock for slaughter, simile of the harassed godly; כְּצאֹן לְטִבְחָה Jeremiah 12:3 simile of judgment of wicked ("" לְיוֺם הֲרֵגָה). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imageryטִבְחָה depicts the act or result of butchering an animal, and by extension any wholesale killing. In Scripture it can describe literal meat prepared for a feast or the figurative “sheep to be slaughtered,” a vivid picture of human vulnerability under threat. The term therefore moves along a spectrum from festive provision to violent death, and its usage invites reflection on both hospitality and persecution within the covenant community. Occurrences in Scripture 1 Samuel 25:11 – Nabal withholds “the meat I have slaughtered” from David’s men. Psalm 44:22 – “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” Jeremiah 12:3 – “Drag them away like sheep to be slaughtered, and set them apart for the day of carnage.” Narrative and Historical Contexts 1. Nabal’s Feast (1 Samuel 25) In the shearing season, hospitality was expected. Nabal’s “slaughtered meat” should have celebrated God’s provision and honored David’s protective service. Instead, the word underscores Nabal’s selfishness. He hoards what ought to have been shared with God’s anointed, exposing a heart hardened against covenant kindness. Abigail’s intervention and Nabal’s subsequent death highlight how a wrong response to God’s grace can turn a joyous slaughtering for feasting into a portent of personal judgment. 2. National Suffering (Psalm 44) Here טִבְחָה becomes a metaphor for Israel’s repeated exposure to persecution despite covenant faithfulness. The psalmist laments, yet simultaneously affirms unwavering loyalty: “For Your sake we face death.” The slaughter imagery intensifies the sense of injustice while anchoring hope in God’s sovereign love. Paul later quotes this verse in Romans 8:36, assuring believers that neither “death nor life” can separate them from Christ’s love—transforming ancient lament into New Covenant triumph. 3. Prophetic Indictment (Jeremiah 12) Jeremiah pleads that the wicked be “dragged away like sheep to be slaughtered.” The prophet’s use of טִבְחָה shifts the image toward divine retribution. Those who despise God’s pasture become the very flock destined for judgment. The verse balances the earlier portrait in Psalm 44: the righteous may suffer temporary slaughter, yet ultimate slaughter falls on unrepentant evildoers. The word thus frames both the cost of discipleship and the certainty of God’s justice. Theological Themes • Covenant Responsibility Whether feeding guests (1 Samuel 25) or facing persecution (Psalm 44), God’s people are called to trust and obey in every circumstance. טִבְחָה exposes where covenant loyalty is affirmed or denied. • Suffering and Witness Believers may be “considered as sheep to be slaughtered,” yet Psalm 44 and Romans 8 teach that such suffering is “for Your sake.” Martyrdom becomes a testimony to God’s worth, anticipating Christ’s own sacrificial death. • Divine Judgment Jeremiah employs the term to warn that persistent rebellion invites violent recompense. The same God who allows His servants to be treated like slaughtered sheep will one day reverse roles and judge oppressors. • Hospitality versus Hoarding Nabal’s misuse of slaughtered provisions cautions against self-indulgence. Generous sharing of God-given resources reflects the Shepherd’s heart and averts judgment. New Testament Resonance Romans 8:36 cites Psalm 44:22 verbatim, embedding the slaughter imagery within a sweeping affirmation of inseparable love in Christ. The word Telescopes Old Testament experience into New Covenant assurance: apparent defeat is not final; resurrection hope prevails. Ministry Application • Encourage believers facing hostility that Scripture foresees such trials and promises ultimate vindication. Conclusion טִבְחָה compresses a rich spectrum of biblical realities: festive provision, sacrificial witness, and eschatological judgment. In every context the term draws attention to the heart’s posture toward God—whether faith expressed through generous giving and steadfast endurance, or unbelief revealed through selfishness and oppression. The consistent message of Scripture is that the Lord, who shepherds His people even through the valley of slaughter, will ultimately display His righteousness and redeem all who trust in Him. Forms and Transliterations טִבְחָֽה׃ טִבְחָתִ֔י טבחה׃ טבחתי לְטִבְחָ֔ה לטבחה lə·ṭiḇ·ḥāh ləṭiḇḥāh letivChah ṭiḇ·ḥā·ṯî ṭiḇ·ḥāh ṭiḇḥāh ṭiḇḥāṯî tivChah tivchaTiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 25:11 HEB: מֵימַ֔י וְאֵת֙ טִבְחָתִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר טָבַ֖חְתִּי NAS: and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered KJV: and my water, and my flesh that I have killed INT: my bread and my water and my meat whose have slaughtered Psalm 44:22 Jeremiah 12:3 3 Occurrences |
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