8608. taphaph

Lexicon

taphaph: To play (on a timbrel), to beat

Original Word: תָּפַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: taphaph
Pronunciation: tah-faf'
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-faf')
Definition: To play (on a timbrel), to beat
Meaning: to drum, play, on the tambourine

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

taber, play with timbrels

A primitive root; to drum, i.e. Play (as) on the tambourine -- taber, play with timbrels.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
denominative verb from toph
Definition
to sound the timbrel, beat
NASB Translation
beating (1), beating tambourines (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[תָּפַף] verb denominative sound the timbrel, beat; —

Qal Participle עֲלָמוֺת תֹּפֵפוֺת Psalm 68:26; read Imperfect וַיָּ֫תָף 1 Samuel 21:14 ᵐ5 (see תוה).

Po`el Participle מְתֹפְפֹת עַללִֿבֵהֶן כְּקוֺל יוֺנִים Nahum 2:8; > Sta (after ᵐ5) מְצַפְצְפוֺת twittering.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G5350 (τυμπανίζω, tumpanizō): This Greek verb means to beat a drum or tambourine, and it shares a similar context of musical expression and celebration as the Hebrew תָּפַף (taphaph). The Greek term is used in the New Testament to describe the act of playing percussion instruments, reflecting the continuity of musical traditions from the Hebrew Scriptures into the early Christian era.

Usage: The verb תָּפַף (taphaph) is used in the context of playing or beating a tambourine, an ancient percussion instrument often associated with celebration, dance, and worship in biblical times.

Context: The Hebrew verb תָּפַף (taphaph) appears in the context of musical expression, particularly involving the tambourine, a hand-held percussion instrument. The tambourine, known in Hebrew as "toph," was commonly used in ancient Israelite culture during times of joy, celebration, and religious ceremonies. The act of playing the tambourine, or "taphaph," is often associated with women in the Bible, as seen in the account of Miriam, the sister of Moses, who led the Israelite women in song and dance with tambourines after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20).

The tambourine was an integral part of the musical ensemble in ancient Israel, contributing to the rhythm and festivity of various occasions. The verb תָּפַף (taphaph) captures the action of creating music through percussion, highlighting the cultural and religious significance of music in the life of the Israelite community. The use of the tambourine in worship and celebration underscores the joy and exuberance that characterized these events.

In the broader biblical narrative, the tambourine and the act of playing it symbolize the expression of praise and thanksgiving to God. The rhythmic beating of the tambourine, as indicated by the verb תָּפַף (taphaph), serves as a reminder of the communal and participatory nature of worship in ancient Israel.

Forms and Transliterations

מְתֹפְפֹ֖ת מתפפת תּוֹפֵפֽוֹת׃ תופפות׃ mə·ṯō·p̄ə·p̄ōṯ metofeFot məṯōp̄əp̄ōṯ tō·w·p̄ê·p̄ō·wṯ tofeFot tōwp̄êp̄ōwṯ

Englishman's Concordance

Psalm 68:25
HEB: בְּת֥וֹךְ עֲ֝לָמ֗וֹת תּוֹפֵפֽוֹת׃
NAS: of the maidens beating tambourines.
KJV: [them were] the damsels playing with timbrels.
INT: the midst of the maidens beating

Nahum 2:7
HEB: כְּק֣וֹל יוֹנִ֔ים מְתֹפְפֹ֖ת עַל־ לִבְבֵהֶֽן׃
NAS: of doves, Beating on their breasts.
KJV: of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
INT: the sound of doves Beating on their breasts

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8608
2 Occurrences

mə·ṯō·p̄ə·p̄ōṯ — 1 Occ.
tō·w·p̄ê·p̄ō·wṯ — 1 Occ.