טָפַל (ta.phal)
ta.phal
to smear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ta.phal describes the physical act of smearing or plastering a surface. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily within poetic texts like Job and Psalms, where it conveys the idea of applying a substance to seal or cover something.
In these contexts, the word often relates to sealing wounds or coating objects, suggesting a protective or binding action. For instance, in Job 16:15, the speaker describes smearing dirt on his head as a sign of mourning and humiliation. Similarly, Psalm 129:3 uses the imagery of plowing the back with long furrows, evoking the sense of being marked or scarred by oppression.
This rare term highlights how ancient Hebrew poetry used tangible, everyday actions to express deep emotional states. The physical act of smearing becomes a metaphor for suffering, protection, or identity, grounding abstract feelings in concrete reality.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for smearing appears in three verses, painting a picture of how people in ancient times dealt with pain and pressure. In Job 14:17, we see that our wrongdoings can feel like they are sealed up in a bag, hidden but heavy. This image reminds us that God sees what is kept secret, yet He also offers the grace to open that bag and find forgiveness.
Psalm 119:69 shows how others might smear lies upon us, trying to mark our character with falsehoods. It is a stark reminder that we often face unfair judgments from those around us. Yet, the psalmist responds not by smearing back, but by holding fast to God's precepts with his whole heart.
This rare verb teaches us about the weight of both our sins and others' accusations. We do not need to carry sealed burdens alone, nor do we have to defend ourselves against every lie. Instead, we can find rest in the truth that God knows our hearts and values our faithfulness over human opinion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they have smeared1×
- and/ you have smeared1×
- [are] smearers of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- טֹֽפְלֵי\־1×
- טָפְל֬וּ1×
- וַ֝/תִּטְפֹּ֗ל1×
Key Verses
-
Job 14:17
My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity.
This verse uses the concept of sealing to describe how sin feels hidden yet burdensome, highlighting God's knowledge of our iniquity.
-
Psalms 119:69
The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
Here the act of smearing is applied to lies spread by the proud, contrasting human deceit with the psalmist's commitment to God's commands.