8534. taltallim
Lexical Summary
taltallim: Locks, curls

Original Word: תַּלְתַּל
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: taltal
Pronunciation: tal-tal-leem
Phonetic Spelling: (tal-tal')
KJV: bushy
NASB: clusters of dates
Word Origin: [by reduplication, from H8524 (תָּלַל - deceived) through the idea of vibration]

1. a trailing bough (as pendulous)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bushy

By reduplication, from talal through the idea of vibration; a trailing bough (as pendulous) -- bushy.

see HEBREW talal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as tel
Definition
perhaps locks (of hair)
NASB Translation
clusters of dates (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
תַּלְתַּלִּים noun feminine (?)

plural as figurative of woman's locks, meaning dubious: שְׁחרוֺת כָּעורֵב ׳קְוֻצּוֺתָיו ת Songs 5:11; Thes (from above v) waving palm-branches, ᵐ5 ἐλάται; Late Hebrew once, figurative, LevyNHWB iv. 649 high hills compare JastrDict 1674 heaps, piles; but MagnusHohes Lied and JacobStud. Arab Dichter iv. 21 envelope or sheath of spadix of date-palm (with which hair often compare in Arabic poetry JacobIb. iii. 46 f, compare Arabic drinking vessel made of this envelope Lane); so perhaps Assyrian taltallu DlHWB 708.

Topical Lexicon
Hebrew Term and Imagery

תַּלְתַּל (taltal) designates a flowing or wavy lock of hair. Ancient Semitic art and poetry valued thick, gently curling hair as a mark of masculine vigor and youthful beauty. In Hebrew poetry a single, evocative word could summon an entire portrait; taltal does so by concentrating on movement—hair that ripples rather than merely rests.

Context in Song of Songs

The word occurs once, in Song of Songs 5:11: “His head is purest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven”. Here the bride extols her beloved from head to toe. The golden head signals nobility and worth; the raven-black locks represent undiminished vitality and the allure of unmarred youth. Within the canticle this picture functions on two levels:

1. Celebrating covenantal marital delight.
2. Foreshadowing the majesty and freshness of the greater Bridegroom whom the New Testament reveals (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Symbolism of Hair in Scripture

1. Strength and Consecration: Samson’s seven locks embodied his Nazirite devotion until betrayal severed both hair and calling (Judges 16:17-19).
2. Glory and Honor: Gray hair becomes “a crown of glory” when found in righteousness (Proverbs 16:31). The wavy black locks of Songs 5:11, by contrast, highlight vigor before age sets in.
3. Covering and Order: Long hair for a woman is given “instead of a covering” (1 Corinthians 11:15), indicating God-ordained distinctions between the sexes.
4. Poetic Comparison: The bride’s own hair is likened to “a flock of goats descending Mount Gilead” (Song of Songs 4:1), underscoring mutual admiration within marital love.

Historical Background

In the Ancient Near East, well-kept curls signified status. Oiled and perfumed hair was common in festive or royal settings (2 Samuel 14:26). Israelite men ordinarily wore moderate length hair, but warriors and kings often allowed thicker locks as emblems of prowess (2 Samuel 18:9). The Song’s idealized portrait therefore fits the cultural aesthetics of Solomon’s court while elevating them into inspired poetry.

Christological Reflection

Christian interpreters have long recognized in Song of Songs a type of Christ and His church. The uncut, raven-black taltal suggests the perpetual vigor of the risen Lord, “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Gold for the head, black for the locks—royalty blended with humble humanity, unwavering purity with undying strength.

Practical and Devotional Applications

• Worship: The verse invites believers to contemplate specific excellencies of Christ rather than vague generalities, fueling adoration.
• Marriage: Couples can learn to voice detailed praise that affirms God-given physical and spiritual qualities in one another.
• Youth and Age: While physical vigor fades, spiritual vitality can remain “black as a raven” through renewal in the Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:16).
• Consecration: Samson’s account warns that external symbols (locks) must correspond to internal obedience; Song of Songs shows how true devotion is both inward and outward.

Related Biblical Motifs

Numbers 6:5; 2 Samuel 14:26; Isaiah 3:24; Matthew 10:30; Revelation 1:14.

Forms and Transliterations
תַּלְתַּלִּ֔ים תלתלים tal·tal·lîm taltalLim taltallîm
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Songs 5:11
HEB: פָּ֑ז קְוּצּוֹתָיו֙ תַּלְתַּלִּ֔ים שְׁחֹר֖וֹת כָּעוֹרֵֽב׃
NAS: His locks are [like] clusters of dates [And] black
KJV: his locks [are] bushy, [and] black
INT: pure his locks are clusters black A raven

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8534
1 Occurrence


tal·tal·lîm — 1 Occ.

8533b
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