Tag Archives: Genesis 4:21

Genesis 4:21 וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יוּבָ֑ל ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה אֲבִ֕י כָּל־תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנֹּ֖ור וְעוּגָֽב׃ Grammatical Focus: The Participial Form תֹּפֵ֥שׂ The word תֹּפֵ֥שׂ is a masculine singular participle from the root ת־פ־שׂ, meaning “to grasp,” “to handle,” or “to wield.” In this context, it describes someone who plays or handles musical instruments. The participle in Biblical Hebrew functions similarly to an adjective or a verbal noun and can describe an ongoing action or a characteristic identity. Thus, תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנֹּ֖ור וְעוּגָֽב does not merely mean “one who touched instruments,” but someone characterized by his activity — a musician or artisan of sound.… Learn Hebrew