טִירָה (ti.rah)
ti.rah
encampment
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tirah primarily denotes an encampment or a tented settlement, reflecting the mobile lifestyle of ancient Israelites before they settled in permanent cities. Its most frequent appearance is in the Song of Solomon, where it serves as a poetic metaphor for the beloved’s head, evoking imagery of a fortified structure or a row of protective walls rather than a simple campsite.
Beyond its literal sense of a dwelling place, the word carries architectural weight, sometimes referring to battlements or walled enclosures. This dual meaning allows it to bridge the gap between temporary shelter and defensive strength, suggesting that security can be found in both community and structure. The term appears sparingly in the historical books, such as Numbers and Genesis, grounding its usage in the tangible reality of Israel’s journey through the wilderness.
Translators often render tirah as "encampment" or "battlement" depending on context, highlighting its versatility. In poetic passages, it enriches the text by layering physical safety with emotional intimacy, portraying the beloved as a place of refuge. This usage demonstrates how Hebrew poetry repurposes everyday terms for profound spiritual and relational imagery.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tirah reminds us that safety often comes in unexpected forms. In the historical books, it describes the practical encampments of Israel’s journey, grounding faith in the reality of daily life and community. These were not just temporary shelters but places where people gathered, protected one another, and moved forward together under God’s guidance.
In the Song of Solomon, the imagery shifts beautifully. Here, tirah evokes a fortified structure, suggesting that love and intimacy can be as secure as a well-built wall. This duality shows us that security is not only about physical walls but also about the strength found in close relationships and trust.
Whether we are navigating the wilderness of uncertainty or building a home filled with love, this word invites us to find rest in God’s provision. It encourages us to value both the stability of community and the protective warmth of intimate bonds, knowing that true security is rooted in faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- encampments/ their1×
- and/ by/ encampments/ their1×
- a battlement of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- טִֽירֹתָ֑/ם1×
- טִ֣ירַת1×
- וּ/בְ/טִֽירֹתָ֑/ם1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 8:9
If she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
This verse uses the architectural sense of tirah to metaphorically describe a beloved’s strength, linking physical fortification with relational security.
-
Genesis 25:16
These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations.
Here the term grounds the narrative in the tangible reality of Israel’s tribal structure, showing how tirah defined their mobile identity and organization.
-
Numbers 31:10
All their cities in the places in which they lived, and all their encampments, they burned with fire.
The word appears in a context of judgment and destruction, highlighting the temporary nature of earthly encampments compared to lasting divine promises.