Tappuah
“Apple”
Summary
Tappuah was the name of a son of Hebron and two ancient Canaanite cities, one in Judah's lowlands and another on the border of Ephraim and Manasseh.
☩The Person
Tappuah was the second named of the four sons of Hebron of the lineage of Caleb. His name, meaning 'apple,' suggests he may have founded or owned one of the cities bearing this name.
☩City in Judah
A town in the lowland (Shephelah) district of Judah, mentioned between Engannim and Enam. This may be the same as the royal Canaanite city whose king was conquered by Joshua. Some identify it with Beita tab, an important place on a conspicuous hill about halfway from Jerusalem to Beit-Jebrin.
☩City in Ephraim
A town on the border between Ephraim and Manasseh. The 'land of Tappuah' belonged to Manasseh, but the city itself belonged to Ephraim. It apparently had a fine spring, hence it was also called En-tappuah. It may be identified with the deserted village of 'Atuf, northeast of Nablus, with traces of antiquity and ancient wells of excellent water.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Tappuah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Tappuah (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Tappuah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).