Lexical Summary tala: To patch, to mend Original Word: טָלָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance clouted, with divers colors, spotted A primitive root; properly, to cover with pieces; i.e. (by implication) to spot or variegate (as tapestry) -- clouted, with divers colours, spotted. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to patch, spot NASB Translation patched (1), spotted (6), various colors (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [טָלָא] verb patch, spot (Late Hebrew id., patch) — Qal Passive participle טָלוּא Genesis 30:32 (twice in verse); Genesis 30:33; plural טְלֻאִים Genesis 30:35; Genesis 30:39; טְלֻאוֺת Ezekiel 16:16; טְלֻאֹת) Genesis 30:35; chiefly of spotted, variegated sheep and goats (Jacob & Laban); "" נָקֹד, נְקֻדִּים Genesis 30:32 (twice in verse); Genesis 30:33,35; "" עקדים Genesis 30:35; "" both, Genesis 30:39 (all J); of high places, variegated (gaily-coloured shrines) Ezekiel 16:16. Pu`al Participle מְטֻלָּאוֺת patched, of sandals Joshua 9:5 (JE). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range טָלָא evokes the idea of irregular coloration or patchwork. In pastoral contexts it denotes animals whose coats bear mottled or speckled markings; in everyday life it can describe a garment or sandal that has been patched. The term therefore moves between the natural world (markings that distinguish a creature) and human manufacture (mending or ornamenting cloth and leather). Occurrences and Narrative Contexts • Genesis 30:32-39 – six uses, all within the account of Jacob’s agreement with Laban. Patriarchal Significance (Genesis 30) Jacob’s request for the “spotted” animals becomes the stage on which God’s faithfulness overturns Laban’s duplicity. “So the flocks bred in front of the branches, and the animals bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted” (Genesis 30:39). What seems a weak bargaining position—asking for the minority of the flock—becomes a testimony that the LORD alone prospers His covenant servant. טָלָא thus stands as a visible marker of divine providence: every dappled kid or lamb counters human manipulation with God’s unassailable blessing (Genesis 31:9-12). Covenantal Subterfuge (Joshua 9:5) The men of Gibeon “put worn-out and patched sandals on their feet and old garments on themselves”. The patched footwear broadcasts a false narrative of long travel, softening Israel’s discernment and securing a treaty. Here טָלָא exposes the contrast between outward appearance and inward intent. The text warns that even God’s people can be deceived when they rely on surface impressions instead of seeking His counsel (Joshua 9:14). Prophetic Indictment (Ezekiel 16:16) Jerusalem misuses her God-given clothing: “You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places for yourself and you prostituted yourself on them”. The “gaudy” (patched, motley) fabric becomes an idol platform. טָלָא presses the charge that sacred gifts have been fragmented and reassembled for sin. The colorful patchwork, once a sign of royal favor (Ezekiel 16:10), now proclaims spiritual adultery. Historical and Cultural Background Spotted livestock were statistically rarer than uniformly colored animals, giving Laban confidence in the original wage agreement. Ancient Near Eastern shepherds recognized such markings as genetic recessives, though without modern terminology. Patched sandals and garments speak to the resourcefulness—and poverty—of travelers; leather was expensive, and repair extended its life. Ezekiel’s era saw embroidered or appliquéd cloth used in cultic settings, a practice that Torah repeatedly guards against turning into idolatry (Deuteronomy 12:3-4). Theological and Ministry Insights 1. Divine sovereignty over perceived randomness. Jacob’s multiplication of טָלָא flocks underscores that “chance” serves the covenant purposes of God. Christological Reflections Spots and blemishes often symbolize impurity (Leviticus 22:20-21; Ephesians 5:27). Against that backdrop, Jesus Messiah is presented as “a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). Where Jacob thrives through spotted animals, the ultimate Shepherd offers Himself as the spotless sacrifice, reversing the pattern: purity triumphs where impurity once testified. Practical Application • Trust the Lord’s providence even when circumstances appear stacked against righteousness. טָלָא threads through Scripture as a small yet vivid reminder that God marks, mends, and measures His people’s lives for His glory. Forms and Transliterations וְהַטְּלֻאִ֗ים וְהַטְּלֻאֹ֔ת וְטָל֗וּא וְטָל֜וּא וְטָל֥וּא וּטְלֻאִֽים׃ וּמְטֻלָּאוֹת֙ והטלאים והטלאת וטלאים׃ וטלוא ומטלאות טְלֻא֔וֹת טלאות ṭə·lu·’ō·wṯ ṭəlu’ōwṯ teluot ū·mə·ṭul·lā·’ō·wṯ ū·ṭə·lu·’îm ūməṭullā’ōwṯ umetullaOt ūṭəlu’îm uteluIm vehatteluIm vehatteluOt vetaLu wə·haṭ·ṭə·lu·’îm wə·haṭ·ṭə·lu·’ōṯ wə·ṭā·lū wəhaṭṭəlu’îm wəhaṭṭəlu’ōṯ wəṭālūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 30:32 HEB: שֶׂ֣ה ׀ נָקֹ֣ד וְטָל֗וּא וְכָל־ שֶׂה־ NAS: speckled and spotted sheep KJV: from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, INT: sheep speckled and spotted and every one Genesis 30:32 Genesis 30:33 Genesis 30:35 Genesis 30:35 Genesis 30:39 Joshua 9:5 Ezekiel 16:16 8 Occurrences |
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