The word appears in military contexts (seizing cities, capturing enemies) and in prophetic challenge: "Does not he who keeps Israel slumber?" (Psalm 121). In Jeremiah 2:8, the prophets prophesied by Baal and "handled" (taphas) the law without truly knowing God — using sacred things without sacred knowledge. Amos 2:15 speaks of the warrior who cannot "hold his bow." The word reminds us that handling sacred things demands holy hands.
Taphas means to seize, grip, or take hold of something — whether physically capturing a person or city, or handling a tool or weapon. It is used of warriors seizing weapons, of priests handling sacred objects, and of God seizing the wicked.