Lexical Summary taam: Taste, discernment, judgment Original Word: תָּאַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance coupled together, bear twins A primitive root; to be complete; but used only as denominative from ta'owm, to be (causatively, make) twinned, i.e. (figuratively) duplicate or (arch.) Jointed -- coupled (together), bear twins. see HEBREW ta'owm NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from toam Definition to be double NASB Translation bear twins (2), double (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תָּאַם] verb denominative be double; — Qal Participle plural תֹּאֲמִם Exodus 26:24 "" תּוֺאֲמִים Exodus 36:29; so read also (for תַּמִּים) Exodus 26:24; Exodus 36:29 (both P), compare Sam Di Baen ARSKHast. DB iv. 661. Hiph`il bear twins: Participle feminine plural מַתְאִימוֺת Songs 5:2; Songs 6:6. תַּאֲנָה, תֹּאֲנָה see III. אנה. Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Literary Distribution Strong’s Hebrew 8382 appears five times: Exodus 26:24; Exodus 36:29 (twice); Song of Songs 4:2; Song of Songs 6:6. In the Pentateuch it describes the coupled boards that form the corners of the tabernacle; in the Wisdom literature it portrays the paired perfection of a bride’s teeth. Structural Significance in the Tabernacle In Exodus 26:24 the boards at the west-end corners of the sanctuary “must be coupled together from bottom to top and fitted into a single ring”. The same detail is repeated in Exodus 36:29 when the instructions are carried out. The word conveys the idea of precise correspondence—two distinct pieces joined so flawlessly that strength and unity are achieved. The repetition underscores the divine insistence on symmetrical stability within the dwelling place of God. Nothing in the tabernacle’s framework was left to chance; every joint, socket, and ring worked in perfect tandem, bearing witness to the orderliness of the LORD who “is not a God of disorder but of peace” (compare 1 Corinthians 14:33). Poetic Imagery in the Song of Songs Song of Songs employs the term twice in bridal praise: Here the idea of matching pairs suggests flawless beauty, wholeness, and fertility. The bride lacks nothing; every tooth has its counterpart, symbolizing completeness in character and relationship. The shepherd imagery links purity (“washed”) with fruitfulness (“none has lost her young”), blending aesthetic delight with covenant blessing. Theological Themes Unity and Completeness Whether in gold-overlaid acacia boards or alabaster teeth, the paired concept calls attention to a unity that does not erase distinctness. Two elements remain individual yet function as one. This anticipates later biblical teaching on marriage (Genesis 2:24), corporate worship (Romans 12:4-5), and the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:16). Strength through Symmetry At the tabernacle’s critical stress-points, the coupled boards provided reinforcement. Spiritually, believers are strengthened when they are “knit together in love” (Colossians 2:2). The term therefore illustrates how divine design turns potential weakness into durable stability. Beauty Rooted in Order In the Song of Songs, order and symmetry produce beauty. Scripture consistently presents order—not randomness—as the hallmark of divine craftsmanship (Job 38; Psalm 19). Within ministry, pursuing orderly worship, sound doctrine, and disciplined discipleship reflects this same aesthetic of holiness. Historical Background Ancient Near-Eastern builders frequently paired beams or corner-posts for load-bearing strength; Israel’s tabernacle reflects superior engineering not merely for practicality but for theological proclamation. In wisdom poetry, idealized physical descriptions often evoke agricultural or pastoral scenes familiar to a rural audience, linking everyday observations with transcendent truths. Ministry Applications 1. Church Life Like the twinned boards, believers are called to interdependence. Small-group accountability, eldership plurality, and mutual submission safeguard against isolation and error. 2. Marriage Counseling The paired imagery validates complementarity: two joined individuals produce stability and beauty. Counselors can draw on Song of Songs to celebrate both physical and spiritual unity in marriage. 3. Discipleship and Mentoring Twinning encourages one-on-one mentoring models. Paul’s relationship with Timothy mirrors the strength of a matched pair working in harmony for gospel advance. 4. Worship Design Exodus reminds worship planners that aesthetics matter. Sanctuary architecture, liturgy, and music should aim for ordered beauty that directs attention to God’s glory. Consistency Across Scripture From the crafted corners of the wilderness shrine to the intimate metaphors of love poetry, Scripture presents a coherent testimony: God fashions unity without uniformity, symmetry without sterility, and beauty rooted in covenantal order. The recurring use of Strong’s 8382 testifies to the divine intention that wholeness, strength, and loveliness flourish where His design is honored. Forms and Transliterations מַתְאִימ֔וֹת מתאימות תַמִּים֙ תֹֽאֲמִים֮ תאמים תוֹאֲמִם֮ תואמם תמים maṯ’îmōwṯ maṯ·’î·mō·wṯ matiMot ṯam·mîm tamMim ṯammîm ṯō’ămîm ṯō·’ă·mîm ṯō·w·’ă·mim toaMim ṯōw’ămimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 26:24 HEB: וְיִֽהְי֣וּ תֹֽאֲמִים֮ מִלְּמַטָּה֒ וְיַחְדָּ֗ו NAS: They shall be double beneath, KJV: And they shall be coupled together beneath, INT: shall form shall be double beneath together Exodus 36:29 Exodus 36:29 Songs 4:2 Songs 6:6 5 Occurrences |
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