טִבְחָה (tiv.chah)
tiv.chah
slaughtered
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun tibchah refers to the meat of an animal that has been slaughtered, specifically focusing on the carcass or flesh ready for consumption. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in narrative contexts involving sacrifice and communal eating. In 1 Samuel 2:13-15, it describes the raw meat taken by temple officials before the fat was burned to Yahweh, highlighting a violation of proper ritual order. Similarly, Jeremiah 7:21 uses the term when God commands Israel to include this "slaughtered flesh" alongside their burnt offerings, emphasizing that ritual acts must be accompanied by ethical living.
Its root relates to cutting or slaying, distinguishing it from words for hunting or wild game. The term carries a neutral, physical sense of meat as food, yet its biblical usage often underscores the seriousness of how such meat is treated. In both instances, tibchah serves as a concrete example of proper versus improper worship, where the handling of sacrificed animals reflects deeper obedience to divine law.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tivchah refers to meat that has been slaughtered, specifically the carcass ready for consumption. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts involving sacrifice and communal eating. In 1 Samuel 25:11, David refuses to take this meat from his shepherds, showing respect for their labor. In Jeremiah 7:21, God reminds Israel that ritual offerings must be paired with ethical living.
This word teaches us that how we treat the fruits of our work matters deeply. Whether it is food prepared for others or resources given in worship, integrity is key. The Bible shows that true devotion includes honoring others and following God’s laws in everyday actions. It invites us to examine our hearts and ensure our outward acts reflect inner faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ slaughter1×
- slaughter/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/טִבְחָ֔ה1×
- טִבְחָתִ֔/י1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 25:11
Shall I then take my bread, my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from?”
David uses the word to describe meat he has personally killed for his workers, highlighting personal responsibility and the value of honest labor.