Lexical Summary taphar: To sew, stitch Original Word: תָּפַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance women that sew together A primitive root; to sew -- (women that) sew (together). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to sew together NASB Translation sew (1), sew together (1), sewed (1), sewed...together (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תָּפַר] verb sew together (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic תְּפַר); — Qal Imperfect3masculine plural וַיִּתְפְרוּ Genesis 3:7 (J) they sewed together fig-leaves (accusative); Perfect1singular תָּפַ֫רְתִּי Job 16:15, with accusative + עֲלֵי, sackcloth I have sewed upon my skin; Infinitive construct עֵת לִתְמּוֺר Ecclesiastes 3:6 a time to sew together (opposed to קָרַע). Pi`el Participle as substantive feminine plural מְתַמְּרוֺת Ezekiel 13:18 those who keep sewing, with accusative + עַל. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imageryתָּפַר evokes the action of stitching separate pieces together. In Scripture it consistently carries metaphorical weight beyond the mechanical act of sewing, touching issues of shame, mourning, restoration, and deceit. Biblical Occurrences and Context 1. Genesis 3:7 – “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.” The first appearance is immediately after the Fall, when Adam and Eve seek to remedy shame by their own handiwork. Thematic Significance • Human Coverings versus Divine Provision: Genesis contrasts fig-leaf coverings with the garments of skin supplied by the LORD in Genesis 3:21. Human sewing cannot erase guilt; only God’s initiative can clothe sinners in lasting righteousness. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near-Eastern households relied on domestic spinning and weaving; sewing completed garments, tents, and ritual items. Skilled work often fell to women (Proverbs 31:22). Because cloth signified identity and status, sewing could produce honorable coverings or manipulative trappings, depending on intent. Theological Motifs • Self-Righteousness: The fig-leaf prototype embodies every human effort to stitch together merit apart from grace. Practical Application Pastoral counseling can expose modern “fig leaves”—religious performance, moralism, or therapeutic self-help—and direct believers to Christ’s covering. In grief ministry, Job’s image authorizes visible expressions of sorrow while anchoring hope in the Redeemer. Ecclesiastes guides leaders to discern the right moment for restoration efforts, while Ezekiel informs teaching on spiritual warfare and the danger of syncretism. Christological Insight Jesus Christ fulfills the implicit longing behind every use of תָּפַר. He was stripped so others might be clothed (Matthew 27:28). His seamless garment at the cross (John 19:23-24) contrasts with the piecemeal coverings of self-effort, pointing to the perfect righteousness imputed to believers. In Him torn lives are sewn together in peace (Ephesians 2:14-16), and the deceptive works of darkness are unmasked (Colossians 2:15). Key References for Further Study Genesis 3; Job 16; Ecclesiastes 3; Ezekiel 13; Isaiah 61:10; Zechariah 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:2-4; Revelation 19:8. Forms and Transliterations וַֽיִּתְפְּרוּ֙ ויתפרו לִֽמְתַפְּר֨וֹת לִתְפּ֔וֹר למתפרות לתפור תָּ֭פַרְתִּי תפרתי lim·ṯap·pə·rō·wṯ limtappeRot limṯappərōwṯ liṯ·pō·wr litPor liṯpōwr tā·p̄ar·tî Tafarti tāp̄artî vaiyitpeRu way·yiṯ·pə·rū wayyiṯpərūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 3:7 HEB: עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם הֵ֑ם וַֽיִּתְפְּרוּ֙ עֲלֵ֣ה תְאֵנָ֔ה NAS: that they were naked; and they sewed fig KJV: leaves together, and made themselves INT: were naked themselves sewed leaves fig Job 16:15 Ecclesiastes 3:7 Ezekiel 13:18 4 Occurrences |
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