Lexical Summary teli: Weapon, specifically a sword or a quiver Original Word: תְּלִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance quiver Probably from talah; a quiver (as slung) -- quiver. see HEBREW talah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom talah Definition a quiver (with its arrows) NASB Translation quiver (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תְּלִי] noun [masculine] quiver (with its arrows) (as hanging from shoulder); — suffix תֶּלְיְךָ וְקֵשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ Genesis 27:3 (J; ᵐ5 φαρέτρα, ᵑ9 pharetra). תִּלָּהּ see תֵּל infra. Topical Lexicon Biblical Context“Teli” appears once, in Genesis 27:3. Isaac tells Esau, “Now then, please take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me”. The quiver is named first, emphasizing its indispensability for archery. The scene sets the stage for the patriarchal blessing and highlights themes of provision, obedience, and covenant succession. Historical and Cultural Background In the patriarchal period, archery served hunting and defense. A quiver, often leather or wood, was suspended from the shoulder or hip for rapid access to arrows. Possession of bow and quiver signified skill, self-reliance, and readiness. That Isaac expected a hunt to provide delicacies indicates that game was still plentiful in Canaan’s hill country and that hunting remained a recognized noble pursuit centuries after Nimrod (Genesis 10:9). Symbolic Resonance Across Scripture Scripture frequently broadens the imagery of arrows and quivers: • Children: “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” (Psalm 127:4-5). • The Servant-Messiah: “He made My mouth like a sharp sword; He hid Me in the shadow of His hand; He polished Me like an arrow and hid Me in His quiver” (Isaiah 49:2), portraying divine preparation and protection. • Divine judgment: Jeremiah 5:16 and Lamentations 3:13 depict enemy quivers as instruments of chastening. Taken together, the quiver becomes a symbol both of blessing (heritage, mission) and of potential judgment, depending on who wields the arrows. Intertextual Connections Although תְּלִי occurs only once, other Hebrew terms for quiver (e.g., “ashpah,” “kashsheth”) appear in Job 39:23; Isaiah 22:6; Habakkuk 3:11, confirming that archery language permeates the Old Testament. The singular use of “teli” in Genesis 27:3 thus carries the weight of its entire semantic field. In the New Testament, Paul alludes to “flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16), retaining the martial imagery and placing it within the believer’s spiritual armor. Theological Significance 1. Instrument of Provision: Esau’s quiver supplies food that Isaac desires; God often uses human skill and diligence to fulfill His promises. Ministry and Discipleship Application • Parenting and Mentoring: Psalm 127:4-5 frames children as arrows to be shaped, aimed, and released. Families and churches should consciously fill and steward their “quiver” for the next generation’s mission. Summary Insight “Teli” points beyond a simple hunting accessory to a rich tapestry of biblical teaching on preparedness, provision, lineage, and warfare. Whether holding physical arrows or spiritual ones, God’s people are called to keep the quiver supplied, aimed, and ready for His purposes. Forms and Transliterations תֶּלְיְךָ֖ תליך tel·yə·ḵā telyeCha telyəḵāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 27:3 HEB: נָ֣א כֵלֶ֔יךָ תֶּלְיְךָ֖ וְקַשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וְצֵא֙ NAS: your gear, your quiver and your bow, KJV: I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, INT: please your gear your quiver and your bow and go 1 Occurrence |
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