Lexical Summary tephach: Handbreadth, span Original Word: טֵפַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance coping, hand-breadth From taphach; a spread of the hand, i.e. A palm- breadth (not "span" of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm) -- coping, hand-breadth. see HEBREW taphach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom taphach Definition a span, handbreadth, coping NASB Translation coping (1), handbreadth (2), handbreadths (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs טֶ֫פַח noun [masculine] 1 a span, hand-breadth; 2 coping (?); — 1 a span, hand-breadth, טֶ֫פַח 1 Kings 7:26 2Chronicles 4:5 of thickness of the molten sea; plural טְפָחוֺת Psalm 39:6 (a few) hand-breadths are my days. 2 architectural term, perh. coping, וּמִמַּסַּד עַדהַֿטְּפָחוֺת 1 Kings 7:9. Topical Lexicon Definition and Practical Dimension טֵפַח represents the breadth of an outstretched hand, roughly four inches or a third of a cubit. Its small size made it ideal for detailing delicate workmanship, calculating storage capacities, and expressing brevity of life. Biblical Occurrences and Contexts 1. Kings 7:9, 1 Kings 7:26, and 2 Chronicles 4:5 employ the term in descriptions of Solomon’s palace-temple complex, while Psalm 39:5 applies it metaphorically to the transience of human existence. These four references frame טֵפַח both as a literal building measure and as a moral-theological illustration. Temple and Palace Architecture In 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 4 the handbreadth determines the thickness of lavish stone courses and the rim of the massive bronze Sea. The inspired writer highlights that even in structures displaying extraordinary grandeur, the artisans worked with the smallest calibrated units. The measurement therefore underscores God’s concern for precision (Exodus 25:40) and the harmonizing of every detail with divine order. Symbolism of Human Frailty Psalm 39:5 draws the concept from the building yard into the human heart: “You, indeed, have made my days as a handbreadth, and my lifetime as nothing to You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath.”. The tiny span of the hand confronts the reader with the brevity of earthly life, pressing the soul toward humble dependence on the everlasting God (Psalm 90:12). Continuity with Ancient Near Eastern Measures Archeological finds from Egypt to Mesopotamia confirm an identical handbreadth in carpentry and metallurgy. Scripture’s employment of טֵפַח therefore resonates with the broader cultural practice while rooting all measurement in the authority of divine revelation—reminding Israel that “the earth is the Lord’s” (Psalm 24:1). Ministry Applications • Teaching Stewardship: The term encourages believers to weigh time and resources carefully; life measured in handbreadths urges faithful prioritization of eternal matters (Ephesians 5:16). Christological Perspective The One who measured the heavens with a span (Isaiah 40:12) took on flesh and, with human hands, touched lepers and was pierced for sin (John 20:27). The handbreadth that once defined architectural beauty now points to the incarnate Savior whose redeeming work transforms temporal existence into eternal life. Devotional Reflection Pausing to measure a טֵפַח invites believers to contemplate both the finite precision of created things and the infinite perfection of the Creator. It calls each heart to pray with David, “Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.” (Psalm 39:7). Forms and Transliterations הַטְּפָח֔וֹת הטפחות טְפָח֨וֹת ׀ טֶ֔פַח טפח טפחות haṭ·ṭə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ hattefaChot haṭṭəp̄āḥōwṯ ṭə·p̄ā·ḥō·wṯ ṭe·p̄aḥ Tefach tefaChot ṭep̄aḥ ṭəp̄āḥōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 7:9 HEB: וּמִמַּסָּד֙ עַד־ הַטְּפָח֔וֹת וּמִח֖וּץ עַד־ NAS: even from the foundation to the coping, and so on the outside KJV: even from the foundation unto the coping, and [so] on the outside INT: the foundation against to the coping the outside against 1 Kings 7:26 2 Chronicles 4:5 Psalm 39:5 4 Occurrences |
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