Original Word: תּוּבַל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Tuwbal
Pronunciation: too-BAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (too-bal')
KJV: Tubal
NASB: Tubal
Word Origin: [probably of foreign derivation]

1. Tubal, a postdiluvian patriarch and his posterity

answer, restore, return an answer

Or Tubal {too-bal'}; probably of foreign derivation; Tubal, a postdiluvian patriarch and his posterity -- Tubal.

Word Origin
probably of foreign origin
Definition
a son of Japheth, also his desc. and their land
NASB Translation
Tubal (8).

תּוּבַל proper name, of a territory and people in east Asia Minor, perhaps nearly = Cappadocia ( = Assyrian Tabalu Dl^{Pa 250 f.} COT^{Genesis 10. 2, cf} Di^{Genesis 10:2}); — ׳ת Isaiah 66:19; Ezekiel 27:13, תֻּבַל Ezekiel 32:26, תֻּבָ֫ל Genesis 10:2 = 1 Chronicles 1:5; Ezekiel 38:2,3; Ezekiel 39:1; Θοβελ.

Genealogical Setting

Tubal is introduced in the Table of Nations: “The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras” (Genesis 10:2; repeated in 1 Chronicles 1:5). Scripture therefore places the people of Tubal within the post-Flood dispersion of Noah’s descendants, underscoring the historical unity of the human family and the reliability of Genesis as a record of early nations.

Geographical and Ethnological Identification

Ancient sources situate Tubal in the region of eastern Asia Minor, roughly corresponding to parts of modern-day central and northeastern Türkiye and adjacent areas of the Caucasus. The pairing “Meshech and Tubal” in prophetic texts suggests contiguous territories, probably along important mountain passes linking Anatolia and the Black Sea with Mesopotamia. Archaeological finds of metallurgical centers in that zone dovetail with Ezekiel’s description of their trade in bronze articles.

Tubal in International Commerce

Ezekiel portrays the economic reach of this people: “Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders; they bartered human beings and articles of bronze for your merchandise” (Ezekiel 27:13). Here Tubal appears as a significant supplier of metal goods, implying technological expertise and an established trade network that connected Asia Minor to Tyre’s Mediterranean markets. The prophetic condemnation of Tyre’s pride highlights the moral accountability of nations engaged in commerce—an enduring principle for modern economic life.

Tubal in the Oracles of Ezekiel

1. Divine judgment: “The chiefs of the north, all of them, together with all the Sidonians, who have gone down with the slain in their terror—they disgrace their might in the grave” (Ezekiel 32:26). Tubal’s warriors lie among the fallen, demonstrating that military prowess offers no refuge from God’s sovereign justice.
2. Eschatological alignment: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal” (Ezekiel 38:2–3; cf. 39:1). Tubal will be part of a vast northern confederacy that mounts a final assault against Israel, only to be decisively overthrown by the LORD. The repeated linkage to Meshech and Magog portrays a cohesive northern bloc whose opposition to God’s people climaxes in the latter days.

Witness to the Nations

In a vision of global evangelization the prophet records: “I will send survivors to the nations—to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud; to those who draw the bow; to Tubal and Javan; to the distant coastlands that have not heard My fame or seen My glory” (Isaiah 66:19). Even after severe judgments, the Lord’s purpose extends grace to Tubal, promising emissaries who will proclaim His glory. This anticipates the Great Commission, demonstrating God’s intent to gather worshipers from every ethnic group, including historically antagonistic peoples.

Missiological and Ministry Implications

• God’s redemptive plan embraces all nations, whether ancient trading powers (Ezekiel 27:13) or eschatological adversaries (Ezekiel 38–39).
• The certainty of divine judgment (Ezekiel 32:26) and the universality of gospel invitation (Isaiah 66:19) compel the church to combine warning with witness.
• Tubal’s technological skill and commercial influence remind believers that cultural achievements are gifts to be stewarded for God’s glory, not idols to replace Him.

Practical Lessons for Today

1. Historical Accuracy: The consistency of Tubal’s appearances across law, history, prophecy, and eschatology validates the unity of Scripture.
2. Sovereign Control: Nations rise and fall under God’s hand; military strength and economic advantage cannot avert His decrees.
3. Global Mission: The inclusion of Tubal in Isaiah’s missionary vision encourages the church to engage unreached and resistant peoples with confidence in God’s ultimate triumph.

וְתֻבָ֑ל וְתֻבָֽל׃ ותבל ותבל׃ תֻּבַ֣ל תֻּבַל֙ תבל tu·ḇal tuḇal tuVal vetuVal wə·ṯu·ḇāl wəṯuḇālInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts