תִּמְנִי (tim.ni)
tim.ni
Timnite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The Hebrew word timni is an adjective meaning "Timnite," used as a proper noun to identify someone from the region of Timnah. It appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, specifically in Judges 15:6, where it describes the father of Samson’s first wife.
Lexical sources trace its origin to the place name Timnah, also known as Timnath or Thimnathah, a city assigned to the tribe of Dan. The term functions simply as a geographic marker, distinguishing this woman by her hometown rather than by any specific character trait or action.
The etymology is linked to the root meaning "to number" or "portion," reflecting the town's identity as an allotted inheritance. Because the word occurs in such a narrow context, it serves primarily to locate the narrative geographically and genealogically within the story of Samson’s early life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read Judges 15:6, the word 'Timnite' appears briefly to identify Samson’s wife by her hometown. In a story filled with violence and revenge, this small geographic label reminds us that real people are caught in the middle of larger conflicts. Their lives were affected by decisions made far beyond their control.
This detail invites us to look at the human cost of broken relationships. The text does not give her a voice, yet her identity is preserved through this single word. It shows that even in ancient narratives, individual identities matter to the biblical record.
For your faith, this serves as a gentle reminder that God’s stories include ordinary people whose lives were impacted by the actions of leaders. We can find comfort in knowing that Scripture values these personal connections, even when they are painful or complex.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Timnite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/תִּמְנִ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 15:6
Then the Philistines said, “Who has done this?” They said, “Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife and given her to his companion.” The Philistines came up, and burned her and her father with fire.
This verse uses 'Timnite' to identify Samson's wife by her hometown, highlighting the geographic and familial ties that led to the Philistines' retaliation.