Lexical Summary
Tappuach: Tappuah
Original Word:תַּפוּחַ
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Tappuwach
Pronunciation:tap-poo'-akh
Phonetic Spelling:(tap-poo'-akh)
KJV: Tappuah
NASB:Tappuah
Word Origin:[the same asH8598 (תַּפּוַּח - apple tree)]
1. Tappuach, the name of two places in Israel, also of an Israelite
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Tappuah
The same astappuwach; Tappuach, the name of two places in Palestine, also of an Israelite -- Tappuah.
see HEBREWtappuwach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
naphachDefinition"apple," a city in Judah, also a city on the border between Ephraim and Manasseh
NASB TranslationTappuah (5).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. , according to
1 Chronicles 2:43; , A ,
L .
III.Joshua 12:17 ( , A ,L ),Joshua 15:34 ( ,L ).
Joshua 16:8 ( ,L ),Joshua 17:8 (twice in verse) ( , A ,L ), =Joshua 17:7 ( ,L ); so read also perhaps2 Kings 15:16 (for ;L Th KmpKau Benz; , A , butL ). On locality see BuhlGeogr. 178. — See also .
Topical Lexicon
Name and MeaningTapuach (Strong’s Hebrew 8599) is ordinarily rendered “Tappuah” in English transliterations. The word’s link with the Hebrew noun for “apple” conveys imagery of fruitfulness and fragrance and thereby hints at the fertility or attractiveness of the sites and the character of the man who bore the name.
Old Testament Occurrences
1. A Canaanite royal city overcome in the Conquest (Joshua 12:17).
2. A Shephelah town allotted to Judah (Joshua 15:34).
3. A border town between Ephraim and Manasseh, with its adjacent district and the spring called En-Tappuah (Joshua 16:8; 17:8).
4. A descendant of Hebron in the genealogies of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:43).
Geographical Distribution
The texts point to at least two separate locations:
• Shephelah Tappuah lies in the low-hills west of the Judean highlands, an area known for grain and orchards. Identification has been proposed with modern Tuffuh, about eight kilometers west of Hebron, whose terraces still display ancient stone‐lined planting plots.
• The border Tappuah (sometimes differentiated as En-Tappuah, “Spring of Tappuah”) is north of Bethel, near the Kanah Valley that drains toward the Mediterranean. Scholars place it at εt-Ṭayyibeh or at Sheikh Abû Zarad. Its abundant spring fits the apple imagery and explains why Ephraim retained the town while Manasseh possessed the surrounding farmland (Joshua 17:8).
Historical Significance
Joshua 12:7-24 lists thirty-one defeated kings as proof that “the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.” The inclusion of “the king of Tappuah” underlines the completeness of the conquest. Later, Israel’s tribal boundaries crystallized around these captured sites:
• Judah absorbed the Shephelah town.
• Ephraim and Manasseh negotiated control of the northern Tappuah. Manasseh needed open fields for agriculture, but the fortified hilltop and water source were vital to Ephraim’s security, so the two tribes cooperated while retaining distinct identities—an early example of inter-tribal coexistence within covenant unity.
Genealogical Note
In1 Chronicles 2:43 Tappuah appears among the sons of Hebron, a great-grandson of Judah. The Chronicler’s interest lies not merely in bloodlines but in demonstrating that every clan had its assigned inheritance and duty in the unfolding redemptive plan.
Theological and Prophetic Reflections
“Jacob’s blessing” anticipated that his descendants would be “a fruitful vine” (Genesis 49:22), and Moses prayed that Joseph’s territory might enjoy “the best of the ancient mountains and the abundance of the everlasting hills” (Deuteronomy 33:13-15). Tapuach, bound to images of fruit and water, stands as a geographical witness to those covenant promises.
Joshua 17:8 records: “The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but Tappuah itself on the border of Manasseh belonged to the sons of Ephraim.” The delicate balance of shared possession demonstrates the possibility of peace when God structures relationships, a truth echoed later in Psalms 133:1: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”.
Lessons for Ministry
1. Fruitfulness springs from covenant faithfulness. The apple-imagery reminds believers that spiritual vitality is tied to remaining rooted in God’s provision (John 15:5).
2. Boundaries need not breed rivalry. Ephraim and Manasseh show how distinct callings can complement rather than compete. Congregations today may likewise share resources while honoring unique giftings.
3. Complete obedience conquers strongholds. The record of Tappuah’s defeated king encourages steadfastness against contemporary strongholds—whether personal sin or societal opposition—through wholehearted reliance on the LORD.
Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Insights
Pottery sherds from Iron-Age strata at sites identified with both Tappuahs reveal continuous habitation through the monarchic era, supporting the Biblical narrative of persistent Israelite presence. Agricultural installations and rock-cut reservoirs attest to the area’s fruit-growing reputation, tying material culture to the name’s semantic field.
Christological Echoes
The conquest lists culminate in rest for Israel (Joshua 21:44), foreshadowing the greater rest secured by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:8-10). As Tappuah’s king fell before Joshua, so every dominion bows before the Captain of our salvation, ensuring that His people inherit a “land” flowing with living water (John 4:14) and everlasting fruit (Revelation 22:2).
Contemporary Application
Modern readers visiting the twin sites can still see flourishing orchards and springs, tangible reminders that the God who once planted Israel now cultivates His worldwide church. Tapuach urges believers to sink their roots deep, bear lasting fruit, and steward their territories—whether households, ministries, or communities—for the glory of the One who conquered every king on their behalf.
Forms and Transliterations
וְתַפֻּ֖חַ וְתַפּ֛וּחַ ותפוח ותפח מִתַּפּ֜וּחַ מתפוח תַּפּ֑וּחַ תַּפּ֖וּחַ תַּפּ֙וּחַ֙ תפוח mit·tap·pū·aḥ mittapPuach mittappūaḥ tap·pū·aḥ tapPuach tappūaḥ vetapPuach wə·ṯap·pu·aḥ wə·ṯap·pū·aḥ wəṯappuaḥ wəṯappūaḥ
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