תַּלְמַי (tal.may)
tal.may
Talmai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Talmai appears six times in the Hebrew Bible, referring to two distinct individuals who share this title. In Numbers 13:22, he is identified as one of the three sons of Anak, a giant from Hebron alongside his brothers Ahiman and Sheshai. These figures represent the formidable opposition the Israelite spies encountered in the land of Canaan.
A second Talmai serves as king of Geshur during the time of King David. Described as the son of Ammihud, he becomes David’s father-in-law by marrying his daughter Maacah to Absalom. This connection places him at the center of the royal family’s internal conflicts, linking a foreign ruler directly to the lineage of Israel’s greatest king.
The name itself translates to "furrowed," likely referencing plowed fields or perhaps the physical characteristics of the individuals it describes. Whether used for the giant warrior or the political ally, the name anchors these figures in the tangible, historical landscape of ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Talmai appears in two very different contexts within Scripture, yet both reveal how God works through the complexities of human history. In the wilderness, Talmai was one of the Anakim, a giant whose presence at Hebron made the Promised Land seem impossible to conquer. This figure reminds us that the obstacles we face often feel insurmountable, standing like giants between us and our goals.
Centuries later, another Talmai served as a king who offered refuge to Absalom, David’s rebellious son. Here, the name is tied to political alliances and family tragedy rather than military might. Together, these references show that names carry weight in God’s story, connecting moments of fear with moments of fractured relationships. We see that no matter how large an obstacle or how deep a conflict, God remains sovereign over the narrative.
When we encounter resistance or brokenness in our own lives, we can look to these accounts for perspective. The giants of old were overcome, and royal families were restored through God’s providence. This word invites us to trust that what seems too big for us is never too big for Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Talmai5×
- and/ Talmai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּלְמַ֖י2×
- תַּלְמָֽי\׃1×
- תַּלְמַ֥י1×
- תַּלְמַ֔י1×
- וְ/תַלְמַ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 13:22
They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
This verse establishes Talmai as a representative of the formidable Anakim, highlighting the fear the spies felt when facing giants in Hebron.
-
Joshua 15:14
Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.
Here, Caleb’s success in driving out Talmai fulfills God’s promise to remove the obstacles that once seemed unbeatable.
-
II Samuel 3:3
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
This reference identifies Talmai as the father-in-law to Absalom, linking a foreign king directly into the turbulent dynamics of David’s household.