תַּבְעֵרָה (tav.e.rah)
tav.e.rah
Taberah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Taberah, meaning "burning," identifies a specific location in the wilderness of Paran mentioned in the Old Testament. Its name serves as a permanent memorial to a moment of intense conflict between the Israelites and God, arising from their complaints about their circumstances.
This place is named in Numbers 11:3, where fire from the Lord consumes the outskirts of the camp after the people cry out in anger. The text explicitly states that the place was called Taberah because the fire had burned among them. Deuteronomy 9:22 later references this event as one of the many instances where Israel provoked God to wrath during their journey.
The word highlights how physical locations in Scripture can carry theological weight, marking sites of judgment or turning points. By naming the place "burning," the narrative preserves the memory of that incident, ensuring that the consequences of restless complaining remain visible in the historical record of Israel's wilderness wanderings.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Taberah means "burning," and it marks a specific spot in the wilderness where Israel’s complaints met God’s judgment. The people were unhappy with their situation, and their anger sparked a fire that consumed parts of the camp. This event shows how quickly frustration can turn into rebellion against God’s provision.
Later, Moses reminds the Israelites that Taberah was just one of many times they tested God’s patience. It serves as a warning about the danger of ungrateful hearts. When we focus on what we lack instead of trusting God’s care, we risk losing peace and clarity. The name stands as a reminder to examine our attitudes before they lead us astray.
Yet this story also points to grace. Even after such failures, God continued to guide His people. We can learn from Taberah by choosing gratitude over grumbling, knowing that God hears our cries but also calls us to trust Him in the waiting.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ at/ Taberah1×
- Taberah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּבְעֵרָ֑ה1×
- וּ/בְ/תַבְעֵרָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 11:3
The name of that place was called Taberah, because Yahweh’s fire burned among them.
This verse explains the origin of the name Taberah, linking the physical fire directly to God’s response to the people’s anger.
-
Deuteronomy 9:22
At Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth Hattaavah you provoked Yahweh to wrath.
Moses lists Taberah among key moments of rebellion, showing how this single event became a symbol of Israel’s pattern of provoking God.