tab.bach denotes a guard official, especially the leader of guards; in two verses it identifies a cook.

The prevailing use identifies an official connected with guards, particularly Potiphar and Nebuzaradan as leaders over guards and their actions; a much rarer use identifies the person who prepares and brings a reserved portion at Samuel’s meal.

1. Guard official and leader of guards · dominant

   The masculine plural form identifies Potiphar in the setting of custody: in Genesis 40:3 the APB renders the clause "the house of the ruler of the guards," where prisoners are placed. It also identifies Nebuzaradan in actions involving Jerusalem’s people and property; in Jeremiah 52:15 the APB renders that he "carried into exile" those remaining in the city, and in Jeremiah 52:19 that he took gold and silver objects.

   Genesis 40:3Genesis 41:102 Kings 25:82 Kings 25:11Jeremiah 40:2Jeremiah 52:15
2. Cook at Samuel’s meal · rare

   The masculine singular form names the person Samuel directs to bring the reserved portion in 1 Samuel 9:23. In 1 Samuel 9:24 the APB renders that the cook takes up the leg and sets it before Saul.

   1 Samuel 9:231 Samuel 9:24

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across the guard-official passages, the APB varies between "captain of the guard," "chief of the guards," and "ruler of the guards." In 1 Samuel 9:23 and 1 Samuel 9:24 it renders the person as "cook"; these are translation renderings rather than definitions.