Apple, תַּפּוּחַ, Malus

The common noun תַּפּוּחַ (tappûaḥ) is rare in the Hebrew Bible, only occurring three times in the singular (Joel 1:12; Song 2:3; 8:5) and three in the plural (תַּפּוּחִים, tappûḥîm [Prov 25:11; Song 2:5; 7:9]). Like other plant names, the singular appears to refer to the living plant, the plural to its usable product.

The singular form also occurs eight times as an element in up to seven geographic/personal names: 1) תַּפּוּחַ, a Canaanite city-state (Josh 12:17); 2) a city of the same name in the lowland region of Judah (Josh 15:34); 3) a city of the same name in the territory of Ephraim on the border with Manasseh (Josh 16:8; 17:8, possibly the same as 1); 4) the adjacent region אֶרֶץ תַּפּוּחַ in the territory of Manasseh (Josh 17:8)—with 5) its locale עֵין תַּפּוּחַ (Josh 17:7); 6) בֵּית־תַּפּוּחַ, a city in the hill-country of Judah (Josh 15:53), identified with the modern town of Taffuh (HALOT); 7) תַּפֻּחַ, a Calebite (1 Chr 2:43).

In the singular it occurs:

• Twice in love poetry (Song 2:3; 8:5).
• Once in prophecy (Joel 1:12).

In the plural it occurs:

• Twice in love poetry (Song 2:5; 7:9).
• Once in wisdom literature (Prov 25:11).

Geographic/personal names in which the singular form serves as an element occur eight times, all in lists: Josh 12:17; 15:34, 53; 16:8; 17:7, 8 [x 2]; 1 Chr 2:43.

Singular:

• Withering, due to locusts (Joel 1:12)
• Desirable or desire-arousing shade and sweet fruit (Song 2:3)

Plural:

• Apparent medicinal value (Song 2:5)

Pleasant fragrance (Song 7:9)

Singular:

In Joel 1:12, the apple forms the final item in a list of five “trees of the field,” preceded by grapevine, fig, pomegranate, and date palm (‏הגפן הובישה והתאנה אמללה רמון גם תמר ותפוח כל עצי השדה יבשו). This is a realistic reference to its susceptibility to withering by locusts (Joel 1:12).

• תפוח is contrasted with “trees of the forest” (עצי היער [Song 2:3])—presumably non-fruit-bearing species—as a symbol of the female speaker’s beloved among other males.
• תפוח may possibly serve in a realistic sense as an appropriate stage for human eroticism and conception (Song 8:5)—its shade elsewhere being associated with desire (see above).

Plural:

• The construct תַּפּוּחֵי זָהָב presumably refers to artificial objects made of gold that resemble תפוחים.[1] Nestling within “showpieces of silver” (מַשְׂכִּיּוֹת כָּסֶף), these represent fitting speech (Prov 25:11).
• Paired with “raisin cakes” (?) (אֲשִׁישׁוֹת) as items prescribed (in fanciful, poetic speech) for a lovesick woman (Song 2:5).
• Simile for the fragrance of a woman’s breath; paired with grape clusters from the grapevine (אֶשְׁכְּלוֹת הַגֶּפֶן) symbolizing her breasts (Song 7:9).

[1] In contrast to Modern Hebrew, in which תַּפּוּחֵי זָהָב are oranges (Citrus x sinensis).