טָפַף (ta.phaph)
ta.phaph
to mince
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ta.phaph appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 3:16. It describes a specific manner of walking: taking quick, light steps or skipping. The image is not of a dignified stride but of a hurried, perhaps affected, movement that draws attention to the walker’s gait.
In its context, this word critiques the haughty women of Zion who walk with heads held high and eyes staring forward. Their "skipping" or tripping steps are part of an ostentatious display of vanity. The term captures a physical mannerism that signals pride and self-absorption, contrasting sharply with the humility expected in the community.
Because it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once), its precise nuance relies entirely on this single passage. Translators often render it as "mincing" or "gliding," emphasizing the deliberate, showy nature of the movement. The word serves as a vivid detail in Isaiah’s prophecy, highlighting how external postures can reveal internal arrogance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ta.phaph appears only once in Scripture, describing a specific, affected way of walking. In Isaiah 3:16, it portrays women strutting with deliberate, light steps to draw attention to their ornaments and posture. This image highlights how external vanity can mask internal pride.
For your faith life, this word serves as a gentle warning against performative holiness or seeking approval through appearance. True humility does not require a showy gait or constant self-promotion. Instead, it invites you to walk quietly before God, focusing on the condition of your heart rather than how others perceive your steps.
May you find peace in walking with integrity, letting your inner character speak louder than any outward display.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ mincing along1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/טָפֹף֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 3:16
Moreover Yahweh said, “Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking daintily as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet;
This verse uses the word to describe the arrogant, dainty walk of the daughters of Zion, linking their physical posture directly to their haughty attitude.