Lexical Definition
תַּרְתָּן Tartân (tar-tawn') Tartan N:N-M-T
of foreign derivation
Tartan.
- Tartan, an Assyrian
1) Tartan-field marshal, general, or commander
1a) a title used by the Assyrian military
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| תַרְתָּן֙ | supreme commander | Isa.20.1 |
| תַּרְתָּ֥ן | commander in chief | 2Kgs.18.17 |
| Ταναθάν | Tartan entered | LXX.Isa.20.1 |
| Θαρθάν | Tartan | LXX.2Kgs.18.17 |
Brown-Driver-Briggs
תַּרְתָּן noun masculine title of Assyrian general = field-marshal (loan-word from Assyrian tartânu, turtânu DlWB 716 TieleGeschichte. 495 f. PinchesHast. DB TARTAN JohnsEncy. Bib. ID.); — Isa 20:1; 2Kgs 18:17 (+ רַבסָֿרִיס, רַבשָֿׁקֵה; only this last in || Isa 36:2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Kings | 18:17 |
| Isaiah | 20:1 · 36:2 |
Profile
Male • Title of a leader • Title of an Assyrian military commander
Leader's title
The Tartan was a high-ranking Assyrian military commander who led campaigns against Ashdod and Jerusalem.
- Title of a leader, first mentioned at 2Ki.18.17;
- referred to as Tartan or "chief" (KJV= Tartan, NIV= "supreme commander") תַּרְתָּן.
The Tartan is mentioned in 2 Kings 18:17 and Isaiah 20:1 as a title of a high-ranking Assyrian military commander. In 2 Kings, the Tartan, along with the Rabsaris and the Rabshakeh, was sent by King Sennacherib of Assyria to Jerusalem to intimidate King Hezekiah and demand his surrender. In Isaiah, the Tartan was sent by Sargon king of Assyria to attack the city of Ashdod. The Tartan was likely second in command to the king and led major military campaigns. The title is of Akkadian origin and refers to the commander-in-chief of the Assyrian army.
All entries for Tartan or chief: תַּרְתָּן