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H8408 · Hebrew · Old Testament
תַּגְמוּל
tagmul
Noun, masculine
benefit, recompense, dealing

Definition

Tagmul appears only once in the Hebrew Bible (Psalm 116:12), in the psalmist's cry of gratitude: 'What shall I return to the LORD for all his benefits to me?' The word is derived from the root gamal (to deal with, to ripen, to wean — see H1580 gamal), which carries the meaning of completing or fulfilling something. Tagmul thus captures all the completed, fulfilled, abundant goodnesses God has poured out on His servant.

Usage & Theological Significance

Psalm 116 is a profound meditation on rescue and gratitude — a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance from death. The question of verse 12 ('What shall I return [tagmul] to the LORD?') is the heartbeat of covenant worship: recognizing the immeasurable weight of divine grace and asking how finite creatures can possibly respond. The psalmist answers with the cup of salvation, calling on the Name of the LORD, fulfilling vows, and offering sacrifices of thanksgiving. The New Testament counterpart is Romans 12:1 — offering your body as a living sacrifice is the 'reasonable worship' in response to God's mercies (tagmul).

Key Bible Verses

Psalm 116:12 What shall I return to the LORD for all his benefits [tagmul] to me?
Psalm 116:13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.
Psalm 116:17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God — this is your true and proper worship.
Psalm 103:2 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Related Words

External Resources

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