תֹּ֫פֶל (to.phel)
to.phel
Tophel
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun tophel appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, located in Deuteronomy 1:1 as part of Moses’ summary of Israel’s journey from Horeb. The sources identify it as a place name situated in or near the Arabah, specifically southeast of the Dead Sea.
Etymologically, the word is linked to the root meaning "white," which likely describes the stark, pale landscape characteristic of that arid region. This single mention serves primarily to anchor the historical narrative geographically, marking a specific stop on the long trek through the wilderness before the people entered the Promised Land.
Because it occurs in such a sparse context, tophel offers little theological depth beyond its role as a marker of location. It reminds readers that the biblical account is grounded in real, identifiable places, even those whose precise modern locations remain debated among scholars.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tophel appears just once in Scripture, nestled within Moses’ recollection of Israel’s journey. It names a location in the wilderness, likely defined by its pale, white landscape. This single mention grounds the biblical narrative in real geography, reminding us that God’s people traveled through tangible places.
For your faith, this detail affirms that Scripture is not abstract myth but history. God met His people where they were, even in remote desert stops. The specificity of tophel shows that every step of their journey mattered to Him. You can trust that He knows the details of your own path.
When you feel lost or unsure of your direction, remember that God guides through real life. He does not leave His people wandering without purpose. This verse invites you to see your own journey as part of a larger, faithful story. Rest in the certainty that He is with you in every place.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tophel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תֹּ֛פֶל1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 1:1
These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suf, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
This verse lists Tophel among other wilderness stops, anchoring Moses' speech to specific geographical locations during Israel's journey.