Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Significance:Tav is the twenty-second and final letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Hebrew language, each letter carries not only phonetic significance but also symbolic and numerical meanings. Tav is associated with the numerical value of 400. In the context of biblical Hebrew, letters often have deeper spiritual and theological implications, and Tav is no exception.
Symbolism:The letter Tav is traditionally understood to symbolize "truth" or "perfection." In ancient Hebrew script, Tav was represented by a cross-like symbol, which some scholars and theologians interpret as a sign of covenant or completion. This symbolism is particularly significant in Christian theology, where the cross is central to the faith.
Biblical References:While the letter Tav itself is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, its symbolic meanings are woven throughout the scriptural narrative. The concept of truth, associated with Tav, is a recurring theme in the Bible. For instance, in the Book of Psalms, the psalmist declares, "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You" (
Psalm 25:5). This verse underscores the importance of divine truth, a concept linked to the symbolic meaning of Tav.
Theological Implications:In Christian theology, Tav's association with truth and completion can be seen as a foreshadowing of the New Testament revelation. Jesus Christ is described as "the way, the truth, and the life" (
John 14:6), embodying the ultimate truth and fulfillment of God's promises. The cross, which resembles the ancient form of Tav, is the instrument through which this truth and completion are realized in the Christian faith.
Covenantal Significance:The cross-like shape of the ancient Tav also suggests a connection to covenants. In the Old Testament, covenants are central to God's relationship with His people. The sign of the covenant with Noah, the covenant with Abraham, and the Mosaic covenant all point to God's faithfulness and the eventual fulfillment of His promises. In this light, Tav can be seen as a symbol of God's enduring commitment to His people.
Conclusion:Tav, as the final letter of the Hebrew alphabet, represents the culmination and perfection of God's plan. Its symbolic meanings of truth, completion, and covenant resonate deeply within the biblical narrative, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Through Tav, believers are reminded of the faithfulness of God and the truth of His word, which endures forever.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TAVSee TAW.
Strong's Hebrew
8420a. tav -- a mark... 8420, 8420a.
tav. 8420b . a mark. Transliteration:
tav Short Definition:
mark. Word
... 1). 8420, 8420a.
tav. 8420b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8420a.htm - 5k 8420. tav -- a mark
... 8419, 8420. tav. 8420a . a mark. Transliteration: tav Phonetic Spelling: (tawv)
Short Definition: frowardness. ... 8419, 8420. tav. 8420a . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8420.htm - 5k
8379. taavah -- a boundary
... Word Origin from the same as tav Definition a boundary NASB Word Usage utmost bound
(1). utmost bound. From ta'ah; a limit, ie Full extent -- utmost bound. ...
/hebrew/8379.htm - 6k
8427. tavah -- to make or set a mark
... Definition: put. Word Origin denominative verb from tav Definition to make or
set a mark NASB Word Usage put (1), scribbled (1). confession ...
/hebrew/8427.htm - 6k
Library
No. 4, Intersession
... HEBREW LETTER KAF}{HEBREW LETTER FINAL MEM} {HEBREW LETTER SHIN}{HEBREW LETTER
ALEF}{HEBREW LETTER RESH}{HEBREW LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER TAV} {HEBREW LETTER ...
//christianbookshelf.org/michelson/no 4 intersession/title page.htm
Synagogues in the City; and Schools.
... from R. Hoshaia, saith, Four hundred and eighty synagogues were in Jerusalem, according
to the arithmetical value of the word full" [mem, lamed, aleph, tav, yod ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 36 synagogues in the.htm
Footnotes
... 55 Pointing {HEBREW LETTER ALEF}{HEBREW LETTER TAV} with Patah-Sheva for
Tsere. 56 Pointing {HEBREW LETTER LAMED}{HEBREW LETTER ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/footnotes.htm
Sermon
... HEBREW LETTER KAF}{HEBREW LETTER FINAL MEM} {HEBREW LETTER SHIN}{HEBREW LETTER
ALEF}{HEBREW LETTER RESH}{HEBREW LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER TAV} {HEBREW LETTER ...
//christianbookshelf.org/michelson/no 4 intersession/sermon.htm
Footnotes
... 52 {HEBREW LETTER PE}{HEBREW LETTER TAV}{HEBREW LETTER VAV}{HEBREW LETTER BET}{HEBREW
LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER SAMEKH}, translated by the Greek {GREEK SMALL ...
//christianbookshelf.org/davidson/the canon of the bible/footnotes.htm
Transcriber's Note
... s He = h Ahyin = i Vav = v Peh = p (final = P) Zayin = z Tsadi = c (final = C) Het =
H Qof = q Tet = T Resh = r Yod = i Shin = w Kahf = k (final = K) Tav = t]. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/transcribers note.htm
The Image of the Beast.
... composing the words {HEBREW LETTER RESH}{HEBREW LETTER VAV}{HEBREW LETTER MEM}{HEBREW
LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER TAV}, Romiith"{HEBREW ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the image of the beast.htm
Christian Cemeteries.
... Uranii cristiani a S. Sebastiano, in the Bullettino di archeologia cristiana, 1886,
p.24."Pietro Marchi: Monumenti primitivi delle arti cristiane, p.212, tav ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vii christian cemeteries.htm
Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... the Esquiline. It was published in facsimile and illustrated by Visconti
in the Bullettino Comunale, 1889, p.340, tav. xi.-xii. [43 ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm
Footnotes
The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark. <. ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark /footnotes.htm
Thesaurus
Tav (2 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TAV. See TAW. Multi-Version Concordance
Tav (2 Occurrences). Psalms 34:1 By David; when he pretended
.../t/tav.htm - 7kTaverns (1 Occurrence)
... Paul, p.20). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TAVERNS, THREE. tav'-ernz: Three
Taverns (Latin Tres Tabernae, Greek transliterates treis tabernai; Cicero Ad Att ...
/t/taverns.htm - 8k
Acrostic (2 Occurrences)
... details of his reconstruction. The poem begins with 'aleph and has tav as
the initial letter of the last line but one. In 51:21, 22 ...
/a/acrostic.htm - 15k
Verse (5 Occurrences)
... Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with
each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav). ...
/v/verse.htm - 8k
Insane (10 Occurrences)
... Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with
each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav). ...
/i/insane.htm - 9k
Feigned (8 Occurrences)
... Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with
each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav). ...
/f/feigned.htm - 9k
Taunt-song (1 Occurrence)
Taunt-song. Taunts, Taunt-song. Tav . Multi-Version Concordance ... how long? and
that ladeth himself with many pledges!' (See NAS). Taunts, Taunt-song. Tav...
/t/taunt-song.htm - 6k
Extol (23 Occurrences)
... Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with
each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav). ...
/e/extol.htm - 12k
Poem (6 Occurrences)
... Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with
each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav). ...
/p/poem.htm - 8k
Pretended (9 Occurrences)
... Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with
each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav). ...
/p/pretended.htm - 9k
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