Lexical Summary Tappuach: Tappuah Original Word: תַּפוּחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tappuah The same as tappuwach; Tappuach, the name of two places in Palestine, also of an Israelite -- Tappuah. see HEBREW tappuwach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naphach Definition "apple," a city in Judah, also a city on the border between Ephraim and Manasseh NASB Translation Tappuah (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. תַּמֻּחַ proper name, masculine son of Hebron, according to 1 Chronicles 2:43; ᵐ5 Θαπους, A Θαφφου, ᵐ5L Φεθρουθ. III. תַּמּוּחַ proper name, of a location 1. in lowland of Judah Joshua 12:17 (ᵐ5 Ταφουτ, A Θαφφου, ᵐ5L Θαπφου), Joshua 15:34 (ᵐ5 Ιλουλωθ, ᵐ5L Θαφφουα). 2 on border between Ephraim and Manasseh Joshua 16:8 (ᵐ5 Ταφου, ᵐ5L Θαπφουε), Joshua 17:8 (twice in verse) (ᵐ5 Θαφεθ, A Θαφθωθ, ᵐ5L Θαφωθ), = ׳עֵין ת Joshua 17:7 (ᵐ5 Θαφθωθ, ᵐ5L Ναφθωθ); so read also perhaps 2 Kings 15:16 (for ᵑ0 תִּפְסַח; ᵐ5L Th KmpKau Benz; ᵐ5 Θερσα, A Θαιρα, but ᵐ5L τὴν Ταφωε). On locality see BuhlGeogr. 178. — See also בֵּית תַּמּוּחַ. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Tapuach (Strong’s Hebrew 8599) is ordinarily rendered “Tappuah” in English transliterations. The word’s link with the Hebrew noun for “apple” conveys imagery of fruitfulness and fragrance and thereby hints at the fertility or attractiveness of the sites and the character of the man who bore the name. Old Testament Occurrences 1. A Canaanite royal city overcome in the Conquest (Joshua 12:17). Geographical Distribution The texts point to at least two separate locations: • Shephelah Tappuah lies in the low-hills west of the Judean highlands, an area known for grain and orchards. Identification has been proposed with modern Tuffuh, about eight kilometers west of Hebron, whose terraces still display ancient stone‐lined planting plots. • The border Tappuah (sometimes differentiated as En-Tappuah, “Spring of Tappuah”) is north of Bethel, near the Kanah Valley that drains toward the Mediterranean. Scholars place it at εt-Ṭayyibeh or at Sheikh Abû Zarad. Its abundant spring fits the apple imagery and explains why Ephraim retained the town while Manasseh possessed the surrounding farmland (Joshua 17:8). Historical Significance Joshua 12:7-24 lists thirty-one defeated kings as proof that “the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.” The inclusion of “the king of Tappuah” underlines the completeness of the conquest. Later, Israel’s tribal boundaries crystallized around these captured sites: • Judah absorbed the Shephelah town. Genealogical Note In 1 Chronicles 2:43 Tappuah appears among the sons of Hebron, a great-grandson of Judah. The Chronicler’s interest lies not merely in bloodlines but in demonstrating that every clan had its assigned inheritance and duty in the unfolding redemptive plan. Theological and Prophetic Reflections “Jacob’s blessing” anticipated that his descendants would be “a fruitful vine” (Genesis 49:22), and Moses prayed that Joseph’s territory might enjoy “the best of the ancient mountains and the abundance of the everlasting hills” (Deuteronomy 33:13-15). Tapuach, bound to images of fruit and water, stands as a geographical witness to those covenant promises. Joshua 17:8 records: “The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself on the border of Manasseh belonged to the sons of Ephraim.” The delicate balance of shared possession demonstrates the possibility of peace when God structures relationships, a truth echoed later in Psalms 133:1: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”. Lessons for Ministry 1. Fruitfulness springs from covenant faithfulness. The apple-imagery reminds believers that spiritual vitality is tied to remaining rooted in God’s provision (John 15:5). Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Insights Pottery sherds from Iron-Age strata at sites identified with both Tappuahs reveal continuous habitation through the monarchic era, supporting the Biblical narrative of persistent Israelite presence. Agricultural installations and rock-cut reservoirs attest to the area’s fruit-growing reputation, tying material culture to the name’s semantic field. Christological Echoes The conquest lists culminate in rest for Israel (Joshua 21:44), foreshadowing the greater rest secured by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:8-10). As Tappuah’s king fell before Joshua, so every dominion bows before the Captain of our salvation, ensuring that His people inherit a “land” flowing with living water (John 4:14) and everlasting fruit (Revelation 22:2). Contemporary Application Modern readers visiting the twin sites can still see flourishing orchards and springs, tangible reminders that the God who once planted Israel now cultivates His worldwide church. Tapuach urges believers to sink their roots deep, bear lasting fruit, and steward their territories—whether households, ministries, or communities—for the glory of the One who conquered every king on their behalf. Forms and Transliterations וְתַפֻּ֖חַ וְתַפּ֛וּחַ ותפוח ותפח מִתַּפּ֜וּחַ מתפוח תַּפּ֑וּחַ תַּפּ֖וּחַ תַּפּ֙וּחַ֙ תפוח mit·tap·pū·aḥ mittapPuach mittappūaḥ tap·pū·aḥ tapPuach tappūaḥ vetapPuach wə·ṯap·pu·aḥ wə·ṯap·pū·aḥ wəṯappuaḥ wəṯappūaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 12:17 HEB: מֶ֤לֶךְ תַּפּ֙וּחַ֙ אֶחָ֔ד מֶ֥לֶךְ NAS: the king of Tappuah, one; the king KJV: The king of Tappuah, one; the king INT: the king of Tappuah one the king Joshua 15:34 Joshua 16:8 Joshua 17:8 Joshua 17:8 1 Chronicles 2:43 6 Occurrences |
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