Lexical Summary taphach: To spread, to extend, to overlay Original Word: טָפַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance span, swaddle A primitive root; to flatten out or extend (as a tent); figuratively, to nurse a child (as promotive of growth); or perhaps a denom. From tephach, from dandling on the palms -- span, swaddle. see HEBREW tephach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to extend, spread NASB Translation bore (1), spread (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [טָפַח] verb extend, spread (Arabic  be full to overflowing, abound; Aramaic  extend, spread; טְפוּחָא a step, foot-length; Late Hebrew טֶפַח a span (compare טֶפַח below)) — Pi`el Perfect טִמְּחָה Isaiah 48:13; טִמַּחְתִּי Lamentations 2:22; — 1 spread out the heavens Isaiah 48:13 ("" יָסְדָה ארץ). 2 denominative from טֶפַח carry on the palms, dandle Lamentations 2:22 ("" רִבִּיתִי I have brought up, reared). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 2946 appears only twice in the Old Testament. Although the settings differ dramatically—one celebrating divine majesty, the other lamenting national devastation—the verb consistently evokes the action of an outstretched hand: either spreading something wide or nurturing something close. In both cases the hand’s movement carries deep theological weight. Textual Distribution • Isaiah 48:13 Semantic Range and Imagery 1. Extending or spreading with authority (Isaiah). Together the senses present a striking polarity: the same term that pictures God’s limitless reach also portrays the tender care of an earthly mother—yet both hands ultimately belong to Him, whether acting directly or through human agents. Isaiah 48:13 – Divine Sovereignty Displayed “Surely My own hand founded the earth; My right hand spread out the heavens. When I summon them, they stand together.” Here the verb illustrates God’s effortless mastery over creation. His “right hand” spans the heavens as easily as a craftsman unrolls fabric. By invoking the verb’s sense of measured extension, Isaiah underscores that the cosmos is not random but purposely ordered and sustained. The prophet frames this claim within a polemic against idolatry (Isaiah 48:5), assuring Israel that the covenant-keeping LORD alone commands universal obedience. Lamentations 2:22 – Parental Agony under Judgment “You summoned my terrors on every side, as on the day of an appointed feast. No one escaped or survived in the day of the LORD’s anger; my enemy has destroyed those I nurtured and reared.” The poem mourns Jerusalem’s fall. The speaker—often read as Zion personified—uses the same verb to recall children once “nurtured and reared.” The hand that once cradled now hangs empty. By choosing this term, the poet highlights the shocking reversal: those lovingly raised are cut down in a single day. Divine wrath does not negate prior care; rather, it vindicates God’s covenant warnings (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). Hand Motif Through Scripture • Creative power: Genesis 1:1; Psalm 102:25; Hebrews 1:10. The convergence of these themes in one verb reminds readers that the One who stretches the skies is also the One who stoops to feed sparrows (Matthew 6:26). Historical Setting Isaiah 48 belongs to the latter portion of Isaiah, addressing exilic Judah and promising deliverance through Cyrus. Lamentations records the aftermath of Babylon’s siege (586 B.C.). The verb thereby spans both sides of exile: God’s sovereign promise before, the bitter fulfillment of warning during. Theological Insights 1. Consistent Character: Creation and discipline flow from the same righteous hand; there is no contradiction within God. Ministry Application • Worship: Meditate on God’s hand that both spans galaxies and wipes tears (Revelation 21:4). Christological Reflection Jesus Christ, “through whom also He made the universe” (Hebrews 1:2), extended His hands on the cross, uniting the verb’s two aspects—sovereign power and sacrificial nurture. In Him the heavens remain upheld and the children of God are forever secured (John 10:28). Key Cross-References for Further Study Job 9:8; Psalm 104:2; Isaiah 40:11-12; Isaiah 44:24; Hosea 11:1; Luke 13:34. Doctrinal Summary Strong’s 2946 encapsulates the paradox of divine transcendence and immanence. The same outstretched hand both measures the cosmos and gathers the flock. Recognizing this unity deepens confidence that every moment—whether creation’s dawn or a city’s darkest night—remains under the unchanging hand of the LORD. Forms and Transliterations טִפְּחָ֣ה טִפַּ֥חְתִּי טפחה טפחתי ṭip·paḥ·tî ṭip·pə·ḥāh tipPachti ṭippaḥtî tippeChah ṭippəḥāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 48:13 HEB: אֶ֔רֶץ וִֽימִינִ֖י טִפְּחָ֣ה שָׁמָ֑יִם קֹרֵ֥א NAS: And My right hand spread out the heavens; KJV: and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: INT: the earth and my right spread the heavens call Lamentations 2:22 2 Occurrences |
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