טַבּוּר (tab.bur)
tab.bur
highest
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tabbur refers to the central or highest part of something, often translated as "navel" or "midst." Its primary sense is not anatomical but spatial, pointing to the core, center, or peak of a structure or landscape. In the single biblical occurrence in Judges 18:29, it describes the location of the city of Laish, which the tribe of Dan captures and rebuilds as Dan.
The word’s usage here highlights its meaning as a central hub or strategic high point. The text notes that the Danites rebuilt the city from "the navel" (tabbur) of the land, suggesting a place of prominence or centrality rather than just a physical shape. This usage aligns with other Semitic cognates where the term denotes a central pillar or the topmost part of an object.
While rare in Scripture, tabbur’s specificity adds precision to the narrative of Judges. It underscores the significance of Laish/Dan as a focal point in the region, chosen for its strategic and central position. The word’s limited occurrence allows it to carry weight in its single context, emphasizing the importance of location in the tribal settlement narratives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tabbur points to a place of central importance, often describing the highest or most strategic part of a landscape. In Judges 18:29, it marks Laish as the navel of the land, a hub where the tribe of Dan settled. This usage reminds us that God often chooses unexpected places to establish His people’s foothold. It is not about physical height alone, but about significance and connection.
When we look at our own lives, we might feel overlooked or situated in a remote corner. Yet this word suggests that centrality is defined by purpose, not position. God can make any ordinary location a place of influence if it aligns with His plan. We do not need to be the most visible to be essential.
Trust that your current setting has value. Even if you feel distant from the center, you may be exactly where you need to be to serve others. Faithfulness in small or hidden places often becomes the foundation for greater impact later on.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] center of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- טַבּ֣וּר1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 9:37
Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”
This verse uses a related term for 'middle' to describe approaching paths, highlighting how central locations serve as gathering points for movement and decision.