תּוּבַל (tu.val)
tu.val
Tubal
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Tubal, or תּוּבַל, appears in the Hebrew Bible as both a person and a place. In Genesis 10:2, it identifies Tubal as the son of Japheth and grandson of Noah, placing him among the ancestors of nations that populated the ancient world alongside brothers like Gomer and Meshech.
Later references shift from this individual to a geographic region in east Asia Minor, possibly corresponding to Cappadocia. The sources note that Tubal is often paired with Meshech when describing distant lands or peoples, suggesting it was known as a specific territory rather than just a tribal lineage by the time of the Chronicler and Isaiah.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted to mean "thou shall be brought," though this meaning does not dictate its historical usage. The word serves primarily as a marker of identity and location in the biblical genealogies and prophecies, anchoring distant regions within the broader narrative of Noah’s descendants.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tubal appears in the Bible as a link between Noah’s family and distant lands. In Genesis, it marks one of Japheth’s sons, showing how early families spread across the earth. This simple list reminds us that God’s plan includes every nation and people group, even those far from Israel.
Later, Isaiah uses Tubal to represent a remote region where people have not yet heard God’s fame. The prophecy looks forward to a time when messengers will carry news of God’s glory to these distant places. It is a hopeful vision of connection across great distances.
For us today, this word points to the wide reach of God’s story. It encourages us that no one is too far from His attention. The biblical narrative shows a God who knows every corner of the world and cares for every people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Tubal2×
- Tubal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/תֻבָ֑ל2×
- תֻּבַ֣ל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:2
The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.
This verse lists Tubal as a son of Japheth, establishing his role in the early spread of nations after the flood.
-
Isaiah 66:19
“I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard my fame, nor have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the nations.
Here Tubal represents a distant land among those who have not yet heard God’s fame, highlighting the future reach of His message.