תַּלְפִּיָּוֹת (tal.piy.yah)
tal.piy.yah
weapon
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun talpiyyot appears only once in the entire Old Testament, within Song of Solomon 4:4. It is traditionally translated as "weapons" or "armoury," describing the shield tower built upon Solomon’s shoulder. The image evokes a fortified structure bristling with defensive gear, suggesting strength and protection.
Despite this common rendering, the exact meaning remains uncertain. Lexical sources like Brown-Driver-Briggs note that the term likely refers to "fatal things" or deadly projectiles rather than general armour. Its etymology is obscure, and it does not appear elsewhere in Scripture, leaving scholars to debate whether it denotes a specific type of weapon or a metaphorical cluster of defensive power.
This rarity makes the word a unique linguistic puzzle. While translators often default to "weapons" for clarity, the ambiguity reminds readers that some ancient Hebrew vocabulary resists precise definition. The passage uses this mysterious term to highlight the beloved’s beauty as both captivating and formidable, like a tower laden with lethal potential.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word talpiyyot appears only once in the Bible, tucked inside a love poem where the beloved’s neck is compared to a tower bristling with shields. This rare term, likely meaning weapons or deadly projectiles, paints a picture of strength and protection. It reminds us that beauty and power can coexist, just as the tower stands firm yet serves as a backdrop for admiration.
In our own lives, we often seek safety and strength. This image invites us to trust in God’s protection, knowing He provides both comfort and defense when challenges arise. The tower’s shields symbolize readiness and resilience, encouraging us to stand firm in faith while remaining open to love and connection.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ layers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/תַלְפִּיּ֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 4:4
Your neck is like David’s tower built for an armory, on which a thousand shields hang, all the shields of the mighty men.
This verse uses talpiyyot metaphorically to describe the beloved’s neck as a fortified tower, blending beauty with formidable strength.