Strong's Lexicon totaphoth: Frontlets, phylacteries Original Word: טוֹטָפוֹת Word Origin: Derived from an uncertain root, possibly related to an Egyptian or Aramaic term. Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent in the New Testament is "φυλακτήριον" (phylakterion), Strong's Greek 5440, which refers to phylacteries, as mentioned in Matthew 23:5. Usage: The term "totaphoth" refers to small boxes or bands worn on the forehead or arm, containing scrolls of Scripture. These are known as phylacteries in later Jewish tradition. The word is used in the context of commandments given to the Israelites to keep God's laws ever-present in their lives. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, the "totaphoth" were part of a broader practice of binding God's commandments physically to one's body as a sign of devotion and remembrance. This practice is rooted in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:18-21. The use of phylacteries became more formalized in later Jewish tradition, particularly during the Second Temple period, as a way to fulfill the commandment to keep God's words "as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition bands NASB Translation frontals (2), phylacteries (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs טוֺטָפוֺת noun feminine plural bands (Late Hebrew טוֺטֶפֶת Aramaic טוֺטֶפְתָּא and especially plural טוטפין id.) — always bands, frontlet-bands, between the eyes ("" אוֺת על יד; compare זִכָּרוֺן בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ Exodus 13:9 "" id.); figurative of dedication of firstborn וְהָיָה ֗֗֗ לְטוֺטָפֹת בין עיניך Exodus 13:16 (JE); of commandments of ׳י, ׳וְהָיוּ לְטו Deuteronomy 11:18 and וְהָיוּ לְטֹטָפת Deuteronomy 6:8. — This injunction, originally figurative for perpetual remembrance (otherwise Kn, and Kleinl.c. 666 ff., see above, BenzArchaeology 111 NowArchaeology i. 134), was taken literally by later Jews, and hence the custom of wearing phylacteries; see Di (on Exodus 13:16) WinerRE RiHWB (article Denkzettel) SmithDict. Bib. (article Frontlets) StaZAW 1894, 312 f., 317. טִיחַ see below טוּחַ. טִיט see below טוּט. טִירָה see below טוּר. טַל see below I. טלל. below Strong's Exhaustive Concordance frontlet From an unusued root meaning to go around or bind; a fillet for the forehead -- frontlet. Forms and Transliterations וּלְטוֹטָפֹ֖ת ולטוטפת לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת לְטוֹטָפֹ֖ת לטוטפת לטטפת lə·ṭō·ṭā·p̄ōṯ lə·ṭō·w·ṭā·p̄ōṯ letotaFot ləṭōṭāp̄ōṯ ləṭōwṭāp̄ōṯ ū·lə·ṭō·w·ṭā·p̄ōṯ uletotaFot ūləṭōwṭāp̄ōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 13:16 HEB: עַל־ יָ֣דְכָ֔ה וּלְטוֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֣ין עֵינֶ֑יךָ NAS: on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, KJV: upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: INT: on your hand phylacteries among eyes Deuteronomy 6:8 Deuteronomy 11:18 3 Occurrences |