תּוֹעָפָה (to.a.phah)
to.a.phah
peak
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun to‘afah denotes a prominent elevation or peak. It appears only four times in Scripture, typically describing high points such as mountain summits or the towering horns of an altar. In Numbers 23:21 and Psalm 92:10, it refers to the "horns" of salvation, using the image of a strong animal’s raised horns to symbolize power and deliverance.
The word emphasizes height and prominence rather than just physical size. It conveys a sense of something standing out above its surroundings, whether that is a literal mountain peak or the symbolic height of divine protection. Translators often render it as "horn" when referring to altars or salvation, capturing the idea of strength and exaltation inherent in the imagery.
This term highlights how biblical language uses physical elevation to represent spiritual authority and safety. The consistent use of to‘afah for high places reinforces the ancient Near Eastern understanding of height as a place of power and divine presence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word to‘afah points to a peak or high place, often visualized as the horn of an animal or the summit of a mountain. In Scripture, this imagery conveys strength, stability, and a position above the chaos below. When we read about God’s “horns” in Numbers 23:22, we are not looking at literal animal parts but at a symbol of powerful deliverance. It reminds us that our help comes from a source that stands firm and high, untouched by the turmoil around us.
This concept offers comfort when life feels unstable. Just as a mountain peak remains steady while weather rages below, God’s protection is described as something elevated and secure. Psalm 95:4 notes that even the highest mountains belong to Him, showing that no height is beyond His reach. We can trust that our refuge is not found in shifting ground but in His enduring strength.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ [the] horns of2×
- heaps1×
- and/ [the] peaks of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/תוֹעֲפֹ֥ת2×
- תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת1×
- וְ/תוֹעֲפ֖וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 23:22
God brings them out of Egypt. He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.
This verse uses the imagery of the wild ox's horn to symbolize God's powerful deliverance for Israel.
-
Psalms 95:4
In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his.
Here, the heights of the mountains are attributed to God, emphasizing His sovereignty over all high places.