תֻּכִּיִּים (tuk.ki)
tuk.ki
peacock
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tukkiyyim refers to a valuable exotic animal, most commonly identified as the peacock. In the Old Testament, it appears only twice, both times in lists of goods imported by King Solomon from Ophir (1 Kings 10:22 and 2 Chronicles 9:21). These passages describe a fleet of ships bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks, highlighting the immense wealth and far-reaching trade connections of the united monarchy.
Lexical sources note an interesting ambiguity in translation. While "peacock" is the standard rendering, some scholars argue for "baboon" or "ape," pointing to the parallel listing with other monkeys in these specific verses. This distinction likely reflects ancient classifications that grouped such exotic creatures together without strict biological precision. Regardless of the exact species, the word signifies rare luxury items that underscore Solomon’s unique status among kings.
The term appears exclusively in these two parallel accounts, serving as a concrete detail rather than a theological symbol. Its presence emphasizes the sheer scale of Solomon’s imports, which came from distant lands across the Red Sea. The word itself does not carry metaphorical weight in Scripture; it stands simply as a marker of royal splendor and international commerce during Israel’s golden age.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tukkiyyim appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, nestled within accounts of King Solomon’s vast trade networks. It refers to a peacock, an exotic animal imported from distant lands like Ophir alongside gold and ivory. These details paint a picture of immense wealth and international connection during Israel’s united monarchy.
For the modern reader, this rare term reminds us that God’s creation includes beauty far beyond our immediate surroundings. The presence of such valuable goods in Solomon’s court highlights the scale of his reign, yet it also serves as a historical footnote rather than a theological command. It shows how ancient Israel engaged with the wider world through commerce and exchange.
We can appreciate these passages for their vivid glimpse into biblical history. They illustrate the prosperity of that era while pointing to the global reach of trade routes in the ancient Near East. Ultimately, these details ground our understanding of Scripture in real-world contexts, showing how faith and daily life intersected in Solomon’s time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ apes2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/תוּכִּיִּֽים\׃\ \פ1×
- וְ/תֻכִּיִּֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 10:22
For the king had a fleet of ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet. Once every three years the fleet of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
This verse lists the peacock alongside other exotic imports to emphasize the sheer volume and diversity of goods arriving in Solomon's fleet every three years.
-
II Chronicles 9:21
For the king had ships that went to Tarshish with Huram’s servants. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish came bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
The parallel account in Chronicles reinforces the historical reality of these trade missions, using the same term to highlight the king's unique access to distant resources.