What does טָבַל (ṭābal) mean in the Bible?
טָבַל (ṭābal): To immerse wholly into liquid; in ritual contexts, connotes purification and consecration rather than mere contact
Hebrew · H2881
טָבַל
To dip , to immerse
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טָבַלH2881
Pronunciationṭābal
What does טָבַל (ṭābal) mean in the Bible?
טָבַל (ṭābal): To immerse wholly into liquid; in ritual contexts, connotes purification and consecration rather than mere contact
Full entry for טָבַל (H2881) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H2881?
The BSB source-word alignment has 16 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include dip (4), and dip (3), dipped (2), is to dip (2), and dipped (1).
Where does טָבַל (ṭābal) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 37:31. Its strongest book concentrations include Leviticus (6), 2 Kings (2), 1 Samuel (1), Deuteronomy (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itdip4×Exodus 12:22, Leviticus 14:16, Leviticus 14:51, Numbers 19:18
and dip3×Leviticus 14:6, Deuteronomy 33:24, Ruth 2:14
dipped2×1 Samuel 14:27, 2 Kings 8:15
is to dip2×Leviticus 4:6, Leviticus 4:17
and dipped1×Genesis 37:31
and dipped himself1×2 Kings 5:14
and he dipped1×Leviticus 9:9
touched1×Joshua 3:15
You would plunge me1×Job 9:31
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 37:31וַיִּטְבְּל֥וּtoand dippedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralExodus 12:22וּטְבַלְתֶּם֮todipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine pluralLeviticus 4:6וְטָבַ֧לtois to dipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 4:17וְטָבַ֧לtois to dipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 9:9וַיִּטְבֹּ֤לtoand he dippedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 14:6וְטָבַ֨לtoand dipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 14:16וְטָבַ֤לtodipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularLeviticus 14:51וְטָבַ֣לtodipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 19:18וְטָבַ֣לtodipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 33:24וְטֹבֵ֥לtoand dipConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 37:31
Aligned rows16
Books represented10
Genesis1Exodus1Leviticus6Numbers1Deuteronomy1Joshua1Ruth11 Samuel12 Kings2Job1
Source forms
וְטָבַ֧ל2xwə·ṭā·ḇalLeviticus 4:6, Leviticus 4:17
וְטָבַ֣ל2xwə·ṭā·ḇalLeviticus 14:51, Numbers 19:18
וַיִּטְבֹּ֤ל2xway·yiṭ·bōlLeviticus 9:9, 2 Kings 5:14
וְטָבַ֨ל1xwə·ṭā·ḇalLeviticus 14:6
וְטָבַ֤ל1xwə·ṭā·ḇalLeviticus 14:16
וְטֹבֵ֥ל1xwə·ṭō·ḇêlDeuteronomy 33:24
וְטָבַ֥לְתְּ1xwə·ṭā·ḇaltRuth 2:14
וּטְבַלְתֶּם֮1xū·ṭə·ḇal·temExodus 12:22
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular6xLeviticus 4:6, Leviticus 4:17, Leviticus 14:6, Leviticus 14:16
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular4xLeviticus 9:9, 1 Samuel 14:27, 2 Kings 5:14, 2 Kings 8:15
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person feminine singular1xRuth 2:14
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural1xExodus 12:22
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xGenesis 37:31
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1xDeuteronomy 33:24
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural1xJoshua 3:15
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular1xJob 9:31
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. To immerse wholly into liquid; in ritual contexts, connotes purification and consecration rather than mere contact
Strong'sH2881
Lexical occurrences16 versesWord forms1 form1 referenceVerse guides0 guides
Study linkProverbs 19:24Source Gloss
to dip , to immerse
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
To immerse wholly into liquid; in ritual contexts, connotes purification and consecration rather than mere contact
to dip, to immerse BDB: dip Usage: dip, plunge.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms1
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action1×
PerfectJosh 3:151×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
lazy person dips hand in dish but cannot bring it to mouth
Showing 1 selected witness from 16 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
טָבַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.