1. Definition and Meaning:
Tappuah, a term meaning "apple" in Hebrew, refers to both a city and a region mentioned in the Old Testament. The name is indicative of the area's fertility and abundance, often associated with fruitfulness and prosperity.

2. Biblical References:

· City of Tappuah in Judah: Tappuah is first mentioned as a city in the hill country of Judah. In Joshua 15:34, it is listed among the towns in the lowland region: "Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam." This Tappuah is distinct from the one in Ephraim and is part of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah.

· City of Tappuah in Ephraim: Another Tappuah is located in the territory of Ephraim. Joshua 16:8 describes the boundary of Ephraim's inheritance: "From Tappuah the border went westward to the Brook of Kanah and ended at the sea." This city is strategically significant, marking the border between Ephraim and Manasseh.

· Land of Tappuah: In Joshua 17:8, the land of Tappuah is mentioned in the context of the inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh: "The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself on the border of Manasseh belonged to the descendants of Ephraim." This indicates a division where the city belonged to Ephraim, but the surrounding land was under Manasseh's control.

3. Historical and Geographical Context:

Tappuah's location in the fertile regions of Judah and Ephraim suggests its importance in agriculture and trade. The dual mention of Tappuah in different tribal territories highlights the complex nature of land distribution among the tribes of Israel. The city in Ephraim, near the border with Manasseh, underscores the interconnectedness and occasional disputes between the tribes over land and resources.

4. Theological Significance:

Tappuah's mention in the Bible, though brief, reflects the broader theme of God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises to the tribes of Israel. The allocation of land, including Tappuah, is part of the divine inheritance given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The city's name, meaning "apple," symbolizes the blessings and abundance that God bestowed upon His people.

5. Archaeological Insights:

While specific archaeological evidence directly identifying Tappuah is limited, the general region is rich in ancient sites that provide context for understanding the biblical narrative. Excavations in the hill country of Judah and the territories of Ephraim and Manasseh have uncovered settlements and artifacts that date back to the period of the Judges and the United Monarchy, offering insights into the lifestyle and culture of the inhabitants during biblical times.

6. Modern Relevance:

The study of Tappuah and its biblical references continues to be of interest to scholars, theologians, and archaeologists. It serves as a reminder of the historical roots of the biblical narrative and the enduring legacy of the land of Israel. The lessons drawn from the allocation and stewardship of land in ancient Israel remain relevant in discussions about faith, heritage, and divine providence.Tappuah

apple; swelling

Tappuah

1. Now Teffuh, a town among the hills northwest of Hebron, Joshua 1:17; 15:53.

2. Another city of Judah, southwest of Hebron, Joshua 15:34.

3. A town on the line of Ephraim and Manesseh, Joshua 15:34.

4. A descendant of Caleb, 1 Chronicles 2:43.

Apple-region.

(1.) A town in the valley or lowland of Judah; formerly a royal city of the Canaanites (Joshua 12:17; 15:34). It is now called Tuffuh, about 12 miles west of Jerusalem.

(2.) A town on the border of Ephraim (Joshua 16:8). The "land" of Tappuah fell to Manasseh, but the "city" to Ephraim (17:8).

(3.) En-tappuah, the well of the apple, probably one of the springs near Yassuf (Joshua 17:7).

TAPPUAH (1)

tap'-u-a, ta-pu'-a (tappuach, "apple"):

(1) A royal city of the Canaanites, the king of which was slain by Joshua (12:17). It is named between Beth-el and Hepher, and may possibly be identical with the city named in Joshua 16:8; see (3) below. There is nothing to guide us to a decision.

(2) (Omitted by Septuagint.) A city in the Shephelah of Judah (Joshua 15:34). It is named between Engannim and Enam in a group of cities that lay in the Northwest of the territory of Judah. Tristram suggested identification with `Artuf, about 1 1/2 miles Southeast of Zorah. G.A. Smith places it in Wady el `Afranj, possibly identifying it with Tuffuch, fully 4 miles West of Hebron. This position, however, is not in the Shephelah. The place probably represents "Beth-tappuah" of Joshua 15:53. No quite satisfactory identification has yet been suggested.

(3) A place on the border between Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 16:8). "The land of Tappuah," i.e. the land adjoining the town, belonged to Manasseh, but the town itself belonged to Ephraim (Joshua 17:8). En-tappuah was probably a neighboring spring. Tappuah was to the South of Michmethath, and the border ran from here westward to the brook Kanah. Some would place it at Khirbet `Atuf, about 11 miles Northeast of Nablus. More probably it should be sought to the Southwest of the plain of Makhneh (Michmethath). It may be identical with Tephon, which, along with Timnath, Pharathon, and other cities, Bacchides fortified "with high walls and gates and bars" (1 Maccabees 9:50). No identification is possible.

W. Ewing

TAPPUAH (2)

(Tappuach; Codex Vaticanus Thapous; Codex Alexandrinus Thaphphou; Lucian, Phethrouth): A "son" of Hebron (1 Chronicles 2:43).

5887. En Tappuach -- "place of an apple tree," a city in Ephraim
... "place of an apple tree," a city in Ephraim. Transliteration: En Tappuach Phonetic
Spelling: (ane tap-poo'-akh) Short Definition: En-tappuah. ... En-tappuah. ...
/hebrew/5887.htm - 6k

8599. Tappuach -- A city in Judah, also a city on the border ...
... Manasseh. Transliteration: Tappuach Phonetic Spelling: (tap-poo'-akh) Short
Definition: Tappuah. Word Origin ... Tappuah (5). Tappuah. The ...
/hebrew/8599.htm - 6k

1054. Beth-tappuach -- "place of apples," a place in Judah
... "place of apples," a place in Judah. Transliteration: Beth-tappuach Phonetic Spelling:
(bayth tap-poo'-akh) Short Definition: Beth-tappuah. ... Beth-tappuah. ...
/hebrew/1054.htm - 6k

8600b. Tappuach -- a son of Hebron
... a son of Hebron. Transliteration: Tappuach Short Definition: Tappuah. Word Origin
from naphach Definition a son of Hebron NASB Word Usage Tappuah (1). ...
/hebrew/8600b.htm - 5k

The Book of Jubilees
... The first is Thapha (Tapho, Lat.), which is probably Tappuah (Joshua 12:17); the
second, Aresa (Arco, Lat.); the third, Saragan, cannot be identified; the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... It is doubtless equivalent to the Hebrew Tappuah, a name of several cities
mentioned in the Old Testament. See Joshua 15:34; xvi. 8; xvii. ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

Tappuah (8 Occurrences)
... (2.) A town on the border of Ephraim (Joshua 16:8). The "land" of Tappuah fell
to Manasseh, but the "city" to Ephraim (17:8). ...TAPPUAH (1). ...
/t/tappuah.htm - 11k

En-tappuah (1 Occurrence)
En-tappuah. Entappuah, En-tappuah. En-tap'puah . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia EN-TAPPUAH. en-tap'-ua, en-ta-pu'-a (`en ...
/e/en-tappuah.htm - 7k

Beth-tappuah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-tappuah. Bethtappuah, Beth-tappuah. Beth-tap'puah . Easton's Bible
Dictionary ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-TAPPUAH. ...
/b/beth-tappuah.htm - 7k

Tap'puah (5 Occurrences)
Tap'puah. Tappuah, Tap'puah. Tar . ... Tap'puah (5 Occurrences). Joshua 12:17
the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; (See RSV). ...
/t/tap'puah.htm - 7k

Kanah (3 Occurrences)
... Reedy; brook of reeds. (1.) A stream forming the boundary between Ephraim and Manasseh,
from the Mediterranean eastward to Tappuah (Joshua 16:8). It has been ...
/k/kanah.htm - 9k

Entappuah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EN-TAPPUAH. en-tap'-ua, en-ta-pu'-a
(`en tappuach; pege Thaphthoth, "apple spring"): Probably in ...
/e/entappuah.htm - 7k

Ephraimites (7 Occurrences)
... Ephraimites (7 Occurrences). Joshua 16:8 From Tappuah the border went along westward
to the brook of Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. ...
/e/ephraimites.htm - 8k

Bethtappuah (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary House of apples, a town of Judah, now Tuffuh, 5 miles
west of Hebron (Joshua 15:53). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-TAPPUAH. ...
/b/bethtappuah.htm - 7k

Apple (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews tappuah, meaning "fragrance"). ... The word tappuach
appears in two place names, BETH-TAPPUAH and TAPPUAH (which see). ...
/a/apple.htm - 17k

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)
... was, beginning from Asher, Michmethath, which is before Shechem; and the border
went along to the right hand, unto the inhabitants of En-tappuah.-- (See RSV). ...
/m/manas'seh.htm - 35k

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