2892. tohar

Lexicon

tohar: Purity, cleanness, brightness

Original Word: טֹהַר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tohar
Pronunciation: TO-har
Phonetic Spelling: (to'-har)
Definition: Purity, cleanness, brightness
Meaning: brightness, ceremonially purification

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

clearness, glory, purifying

From taher; literally brightness; ceremonially purification -- clearness, glory, purifying.

see HEBREW taher

Brown-Driver-Briggs

טֹּ֫הַר noun [masculine] purity, purifying —

1 purity, כְּעֶצֶם הַשָּׁמַיִם לָטֹּ֫הַר Exodus 24:10 (JE), as the body of heavens for purity.

2 suffix יְמֵי טָהֳרָהּ Leviticus 12:4,6 the days of her purifying (menstruation).

[טֳהָר] (see Ges^{§ 10}. 2. B), or [טְהָר] (Ol^{§ 173 b} Bö^{§ 386}),

noun [masculine] clearness, lustre (dubious word; below טֹהַר Hup Pe SS; so Thes, reading מִטָּהֳרוֺ) — only הִשְׁבַּתָּ מִטֳּהָרוֺ Psalm 89:45; De Hup Pe Sch thou hast made (him) to cease from his lustre; ᵑ6 ᵑ9 made his lustre to cease, so AE Ki and others reading noun מִטְהָרוֺ or מִטְּהָרוֺ (dagesh forte according to Ges^{§ 20}. 2. 2 b), and Schr^{SK 1868, 642} who reads הִשְׁבַּתָּה טְהָרוֺ; Gr proposes עטרתוֺ his crown; Bae מַטֶּה מִיָּדוֺ sceptre from his hand.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb טָהֵר (taher), which means "to be clean" or "to purify."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G2514 (καθαρότης, katharotēs): This Greek term is often used in the Septuagint and the New Testament to convey similar concepts of purity and cleanliness. It reflects the idea of being free from contamination, both physically and morally, and is used in contexts that parallel the Hebrew concept of טֹהַר (tohar). For instance, in 2 Corinthians 6:6 (BSB), Paul uses καθαρότης (katharotēs) to describe the purity of heart and life expected of believers.

In summary, טֹהַר (tohar) is a multifaceted term that encompasses both the physical brightness and the ritual purity required in the religious life of ancient Israel. Its significance is echoed in the Greek term καθαρότης (katharotēs), highlighting the continuity of the concept of purity across the biblical narrative.

Usage: The term טֹהַר (tohar) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe both physical brightness and the state of being ceremonially clean. It is often associated with the purification processes required by the Mosaic Law.

Context: • Brightness: In a physical sense, טֹהַר (tohar) can refer to the brightness or clarity of an object, often used metaphorically to describe purity or moral cleanliness. This usage underscores the visual aspect of purity, akin to the brightness of a polished surface or the clarity of a clear sky.
• Ceremonial Purification: In a ritual context, טֹהַר (tohar) is closely linked to the purification rites prescribed in the Torah. These rites were essential for maintaining the holiness required to approach God, especially in the context of the Tabernacle or Temple worship. The concept of טֹהַר (tohar) in this sense emphasizes the transition from a state of impurity to one of ritual cleanliness, allowing individuals to participate in religious activities and community life.
• Biblical References: The term appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Scriptures. For example, in Leviticus, the process of purification is detailed extensively, highlighting the importance of טֹהַר (tohar) in maintaining the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In Psalm 89:44 (BSB), the term is used metaphorically to describe the purity and brightness of God's covenant faithfulness.

Forms and Transliterations

לָטֹֽהַר׃ לטהר׃ מִטְּהָר֑וֹ מטהרו lā·ṭō·har laTohar lāṭōhar miṭ·ṭə·hā·rōw mittehaRo miṭṭəhārōw

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 24:10
HEB: וּכְעֶ֥צֶם הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לָטֹֽהַר׃
NAS: of sapphire, as clear as the sky
KJV: of heaven in [his] clearness.
INT: itself as the sky clear

Psalm 89:44
HEB: הִשְׁבַּ֥תָּ מִטְּהָר֑וֹ וְ֝כִסְא֗וֹ לָאָ֥רֶץ
NAS: You have made his splendor to cease
KJV: Thou hast made his glory to cease,
INT: to cease his splendor his throne to the ground

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2892
2 Occurrences

lā·ṭō·har — 1 Occ.
miṭ·ṭə·hā·rōw — 1 Occ.