Lexical Summary Talmay: Talmay Original Word: תַּלִמַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Talmai From telem; ridged; Talmai, the name of a Canaanite and a Syrian -- Talmai. see HEBREW telem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as telem Definition "plowman," a father-in-law of David, also a desc. of Anak NASB Translation Talmai (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּלְמַי proper name, masculine 1. king of Geshur, father-in-law of David, 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13:37; 1 Chronicles 3:2. 2 a son of `Anak Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14, תַּלְמָ֑י Judges 1:10; Θομμει, Θολμει, Θαλαμειν, etc. תַּלְמִיד see למד. [תְּלֻנָּה] see II. לון תלע (√ of following; perhaps gnaw, see מְתַלְּעוֺת infra, and DlPr 113, compare As tultu, worm). Topical Lexicon Overview The name Talmai appears six times in the Old Testament and designates two historically distinct figures: (1) Talmai one of the three Anakite giants inhabiting Hebron, and (2) Talmai king of Geshur, father-in-law of David and maternal grandfather of Absalom and Tamar. Although they share a name, their contexts and theological implications differ markedly, yet together they illustrate both the formidable opposition faced by God’s people and the sovereign manner in which the Lord weaves foreign royalty into Israel’s redemptive history. Talmai among the Anakim (Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10) The first Talmai is introduced when the twelve spies explore Canaan. The text pairs him with his brothers Ahiman and Sheshai, “the descendants of Anak” (Numbers 13:22). Their presence fuels Israel’s fear, provoking the unbelieving report that the land “devours its inhabitants” and that “we seemed like grasshoppers” (Numbers 13:32-33). Years later, Hebron becomes the stage for the fulfillment of God’s promise as Caleb, trusting the Lord fully, “drove out from there the three sons of Anak—Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai” (Joshua 15:14; cf. Judges 1:10). The defeat of Talmai the Anakite thus testifies to the reliability of Yahweh’s word and models persevering faith. The enormous physical stature of the Anakim only magnifies the victory, reinforcing the recurring biblical theme that God delights to conquer humanly insurmountable obstacles through obedient believers (compare 1 Samuel 17:45-47). Talmai, King of Geshur (2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13:37; 1 Chronicles 3:2) A generation later, another Talmai surfaces, this time on the northeastern frontier of Israel. Talmai son of Ammihud reigns over the Aramean city-state of Geshur, situated east of the Sea of Galilee. Diplomatic marriage binds him to David when the king of Israel takes Talmai’s daughter Maacah as wife. From this union are born Absalom and Tamar (2 Samuel 3:3; 1 Chronicles 3:2). The relationship becomes prominent after Absalom avenges Tamar’s violation by killing Amnon. In flight, “Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur” (2 Samuel 13:37). For three years Geshur provides asylum, revealing both the political reach of David’s household and the personal cost of sin within it. Talmai’s court, therefore, functions as a place of refuge yet also underscores the fracture that unchecked injustice and delayed discipline introduce into covenant community life. Historical and Ministry Significance 1. Faith over fear. Caleb’s triumph over Talmai the Anakite encourages believers to trust divine promises despite overwhelming odds. The episode validates the exhortation to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Theological Themes and Lessons • Divine sovereignty over nations: God orchestrates events from fierce Anakim to foreign kings to advance His redemptive plan. Key Scriptures Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10; 2 Samuel 3:3; 2 Samuel 13:37; 1 Chronicles 3:2. Legacy Talmai’s twofold appearance—one crushed beneath the feet of a faithful Caleb, the other providing temporary sanctuary to a wayward prince—frames a narrative arc from conquest to exile. Together they remind today’s church that God’s faithfulness spans generations, conquers the seemingly unconquerable, and yet calls His people to holy living lest domestic compromise undermine public victory. Forms and Transliterations וְתַלְמַ֔י ותלמי תַּלְמַ֔י תַּלְמַ֖י תַּלְמַ֥י תַּלְמָֽי׃ תלמי תלמי׃ tal·may tal·māy talMai talmay talmāy vetalMai wə·ṯal·may wəṯalmayLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 13:22 HEB: אֲחִימַן֙ שֵׁשַׁ֣י וְתַלְמַ֔י יְלִידֵ֖י הָעֲנָ֑ק NAS: Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants KJV: Sheshai, and Talmai, the children INT: Ahiman Sheshai and Talmai the descendants of Anak Joshua 15:14 Judges 1:10 2 Samuel 3:3 2 Samuel 13:37 1 Chronicles 3:2 6 Occurrences |
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