Lexical Summary Tabbath: Tabbath Original Word: טַבַּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tabbath Of uncertain derivation; Tabbath, a place East of the Jordan -- Tabbath. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a place of refuge of the Midianites NASB Translation Tabbath (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs טַבָּ֑ת proper name, of a location Judges 7:22, spot near which Gideon's pursuit of Midianites ended, site unknown. Topical Lexicon Entry: TabbathGeographical Setting Tabbath is mentioned in Judges 7:22 as a geographical marker on the eastern side of the Jordan Valley. Its location is given in relation to Abel Meholah, a site generally identified with the fertile area south of Beth Shan. While the precise site of Tabbath has not been conclusively identified, most scholars place it somewhere along the retreat route of the Midianite coalition as they fled from Gideon’s surprise night attack. The terrain in this region is characterized by rolling hills descending toward the Jordan River, ideal for quick movement yet also conducive to panic and bottlenecking during a chaotic retreat. Historical Context The single reference to Tabbath falls within the narrative of Gideon’s victory over Midian (Judges 6–8). Midianite hordes had been oppressing Israel for seven years, seizing produce and livestock and driving the Israelites to live in mountain caves (Judges 6:1–6). The Lord raised up Gideon to deliver His people, instructing him to whittle his army down to three hundred men so that the victory would be unmistakably attributed to divine power rather than human strength (Judges 7:2–7). After the unconventional nighttime attack involving trumpets, torches, and shattered jars, “the LORD set the whole camp into turmoil” (Judges 7:22a). The Midianites fled “as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath” (Judges 7:22b), marking the extent of their rout. Role in the Gideon Narrative 1. Boundary of Defeat: Tabbath signifies the easternmost limit of the Midianite flight. Its mention underscores the magnitude of the rout; the enemy was driven far from the Jezreel Valley deep into the eastern Jordan region. Theological and Ministry Significance • Assurance of Sovereign Deliverance: The mention of an obscure place like Tabbath within the inspired text highlights God’s intimate involvement in historical details. Modern believers are reminded that no circumstance or location is insignificant in His redemptive plan. Lessons for the Church Today 1. Strategic Faith: Just as Gideon’s three hundred pursued decisively toward Tabbath, congregations are called to discern and follow God’s strategy, trusting Him for outcomes beyond human capacity. Archaeological Considerations Archaeological surveys have yet to yield definitive evidence pinpointing Tabbath. Nonetheless, studies of settlement patterns east of the Jordan during the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages reveal numerous fortified and agrarian sites that match the biblical timeframe. Continued exploration may someday clarify Tabbath’s placement, further corroborating the Judges narrative. Key Reference Judges 7:22 – “When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the whole camp into turmoil, and the men turned their swords against one another. The army fled as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.” See Also Abel Meholah; Midianites; Gideon; Valley of Jezreel Forms and Transliterations טַבָּֽת׃ טבת׃ ṭab·bāṯ tabBat ṭabbāṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 7:22 HEB: מְחוֹלָ֖ה עַל־ טַבָּֽת׃ NAS: of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. KJV: of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. INT: of Abel-meholah by Tabbath 1 Occurrence |