Original Word: טָבַח
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tabach
Pronunciation: tah-bakh
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-bakh')
Definition: To slaughter, to butcher
Meaning: to slaughter

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "tabach," related concepts of slaughter and sacrifice can be found in Greek words such as "θύω" (thuo - to sacrifice) and "σφάζω" (sphazo - to slay or slaughter).

Usage: The Hebrew verb "tabach" primarily means to slaughter or butcher, often in the context of preparing meat for consumption or sacrifice. It can refer to the act of killing animals for food or ritual purposes. In some contexts, it may also imply a more violent or destructive form of killing, extending metaphorically to human contexts.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite society, the act of slaughtering animals was a common and necessary practice for both dietary and sacrificial purposes. The role of the butcher was significant, as it required skill and adherence to ritual purity laws, especially when preparing animals for sacrifice. The process of slaughtering was not only a practical task but also a religious one, often associated with offerings made to God in the temple.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to slaughter, butcher, slay
NASB Translation
make (1), prepared (1), slaughter (3), slaughtered (3), slaughters (1), slay (2).

[טָבַח] verb slaughter, butcher, slay (Late Hebrew id. (rare) and derivatives; Phoenician טבח participle; Assyrian ‰abâ—u Asrb^{Annals iii. 56}; Aramaic , טְבַח (rare) and derivatives; Arabic cook meat, also bake bread; Ethiopic slay) —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular suffix וּטְבָחוֺ consecutive Exodus 21:37; 3feminine singular טָֽבְחָה Proverbs 9:2; 2masculine singular טָבַחְתָּ Lamentations 2:21; 1singular טָבַחְתִּי 1 Samuel 25:11; Imperative וּטְבֹחַ Genesis 43:16; Infinitive construct טְבֹחַ Ezekiel 21:15; לִטְבֿוֺחַ Psalm 37:14 3t. (so Baer; van d. H לִטְבּוֺחַ, except לִטְב֑וֺחַ Jeremiah 51:40); Passive participle טָבוּחַ Deuteronomy 28:31; —

1 slaughter, butcher animals for food Exodus 21:37 (E), Proverbs 9:2 (figurative of Wisdom's furnishing her table); so with accusative of congnate meaning with verb טֶבַח ׳ט Genesis 43:16 (J), טִבְחָה ׳ט 1 Samuel 25:11; compare also Deuteronomy 28:31, where punishment lies in fact that the owner does not eat of the slain ox; כְּכֶשֶׂב אַלּוּף יוּבַל לִטְבֿ֑וֺחַ Jeremiah 11:19 like a mild lamb that is led to slaughter, simile of the prophet exposed to his enemies, Jeremiah 51:40 simile of ׳יs vengeance upon Babylon (see also טֶבַח, טִבְחָה), Jeremiah 25:34 of kings and rulers, under figure of shepherds & choice sheep.

2 in poetry & figurative, slay, kill ruthlessly, with accusative of person Psalm 37:14; absolute Lamentations 2:21("" הָרַג; opposed to חמל); with accusative of congnate meaning with verb טֶבַח ׳ט Ezekiel 21:15 of a sword sharpened for the slaughter of Israel in judgment.

kill, make slaughter, slay

A primitive root; to slaughter (animals or men) -- kill, (make) slaughter, slay.

וּטְבָח֖וֹ וּטְבֹ֤חַ וטבח וטבחו טֶ֙בַח֙ טָב֣וּחַ טָבְחָ֣ה טָבַ֖חְתִּי טָבַ֖חְתָּ טבוח טבח טבחה טבחת טבחתי לִ֝טְב֗וֹחַ לִטְב֑וֹחַ לטבוח liṭ·ḇō·w·aḥ liṭḇōwaḥ litVoach ṭā·ḇaḥ·tā ṭā·ḇaḥ·tî ṭā·ḇə·ḥāh ṭā·ḇū·aḥ ṭāḇaḥtā ṭāḇaḥtî ṭāḇəḥāh ṭāḇūaḥ taVachta taVachti taveChah taVuach ṭe·ḇaḥ ṭeḇaḥ tevach ū·ṭə·ḇā·ḥōw ū·ṭə·ḇō·aḥ ūṭəḇāḥōw ūṭəḇōaḥ utevaCho uteVoachInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts