Lexical Summary tavah: To spin, to weave Original Word: תָּוָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance confession, sacrifice of praise, thanksgiving, offering A primitive root; to mark out, i.e. (primitive) scratch or (definite) imprint -- scrabble, set (a mark). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from tav Definition to make or set a mark NASB Translation put (1), scribbled (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תָּוָה] verb denominative makeor set a mark; — Pi`el Imperfect3masculine singular ויתו Kt, וַוְתָיו Qr 1 Samuel 21:14 (Ges§ 75bb) and he made marks on (עַל) the doors: but < ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Th We Dr Gesl.c. and most וַ֫יָּתָף he drummed (see תפף). Hiph`il וְהִתְוִ֫יתָ תָו עַלֿ Ezekiel 9:4 set a mark (accusative of congnate meaning with verb) upon. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 8427 תָּוָה conveys the idea of inscribing, scratching, or leaving an identifying mark. Though it appears only twice in the Old Testament, the contexts are weighty: one narrative and one visionary. Together they trace a line from desperate human self-preservation to divine preservation, illustrating how markings—whether self-made or God-given—signal identity, protection, and destiny. Biblical Occurrences • 1 Samuel 21:14 – David, feigning madness before Achish, “scribbl[es] on the doors of the gate”. Usage in Narrative Context (1 Samuel 21:14) David’s frantic inscriptions on the city gate in Gath demonstrate the extremes a righteous man may endure while fleeing persecution. The act was dramatic enough to convince onlookers he was insane, shielding him from Philistine suspicion. Here תָּוָה underscores: 1. Human agency: David physically scratches a public surface, manipulating perception. Prophetic Symbolism (Ezekiel 9:4) In Ezekiel’s vision the Lord’s messenger marks repentant mourners. Key features: 1. Divine initiative: Unlike David’s self-made scratches, the mark originates with God. Theological Themes Identity – Both passages turn on recognizable markings. In human hands they can deceive; in God’s hands they declare ownership. Judgment and Mercy – Ezekiel 9 links marking to mercy amid wrath. The righteous are preserved, affirming that divine justice never overlooks those who remain faithful. Holiness and Separation – The mark distinguishes worshipers who grieve over sin, anticipating the New Testament call to “come out from among them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Ministry and Discipleship Applications 1. Genuine Repentance – Leaders should foster congregational grief over sin, trusting the Lord to “set His seal of ownership” (2 Corinthians 1:22) on humble hearts. Related Scriptural Motifs • Blood on doorposts, Exodus 12:7 – protective marking in judgment. Conclusion Though scarcely used, תָּוָה bridges personal desperation and prophetic hope. It calls the reader to examine whose mark one bears—self-wrought or God-given—and to rest in the assurance that the Lord’s authentic inscription secures eternal deliverance for all who grieve over sin and cling to His mercy through Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְהִתְוִ֨יתָ וַיְתָיו֙ והתוית ויתיו vayTav vehitVita way·ṯāw wayṯāw wə·hiṯ·wî·ṯā wəhiṯwîṯāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 21:14 HEB: [וַיְתַו כ] (וַיְתָיו֙ ק) עַל־ INT: boast able confession and door Ezekiel 9:4 2 Occurrences |
    |