תֵּבֵץ (te.vets)
te.vets
Thebez
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Tevez, or Thebez, translates to "conspicuous" or "visible." It identifies a specific town located in close proximity to Shechem in the central hill country of Israel. Because the word itself describes something standing out visually, the location likely earned this title due to its prominent position on a hill or ridge.
This place appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the narrative of the judge Deborah and Barak. In Judges 9, it is mentioned as the site where Abimelech meets his death after a woman drops an upper millstone on him from its walls. The brief reference to 2 Samuel 23:28 lists Tevez among the locations associated with David’s mighty men, though the context there is less detailed.
The rarity of the name highlights its specific historical footprint rather than broad theological symbolism. Its meaning as a "visible" place underscores the geographical reality of ancient Canaanite settlements, which often chose defensible, high-ground positions for safety and observation. The word itself does not carry abstract spiritual weight; instead, it anchors the biblical story in a tangible, observable landscape.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tevez means "conspicuous" or "visible," pointing to a town that stood out in the landscape of ancient Israel. Its location on high ground made it easy to spot and hard to miss, serving as a natural lookout point for those living nearby. This physical prominence is not just about geography; it reminds us that some things in life are meant to be seen clearly.
In Judges 9, this visible place becomes the stage for a sudden and decisive end. Abimelech, who had sought power through violence, meets his death when a woman drops a millstone on him from the walls of Thebez. The event shows how quickly human plans can change and how God’s justice often works in unexpected ways. Even in moments of conflict or uncertainty, there is a sense that truth and consequences are visible to those who look closely.
Though Tevez appears only twice in Scripture, its story invites reflection on how we view our own lives. Are we living in a way that stands out for good? Do we seek visibility for pride, or do we trust that God sees what is hidden? The name reminds us that nothing is truly hidden from God’s sight, and that our actions, like the walls of Thebez, are part of a larger story He is writing.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ Thebez1×
- at/ Thebez1×
- Thebez1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תֵּבֵ֑ץ1×
- בְּ/תֵבֵ֖ץ1×
- בְּ/תֵבֵ֔ץ1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 9:50
Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
This verse marks the moment Abimelech attacks Thebez, setting the stage for his downfall and highlighting the town’s role as a site of divine judgment.
-
II Samuel 11:21
Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’”
David uses this event to explain Uriah’s death, showing how the memory of Thebez served as a known example of sudden and unexpected demise.