2933. tamah

Lexicon

tamah: To become unclean, to defile

Original Word: טָמָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tamah
Pronunciation: tah-MAY
Phonetic Spelling: (taw-maw')
Definition: To become unclean, to defile
Meaning: to be impure

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be defiled, be reputed vile

A collateral form of tame'; to be impure in a religious sense -- be defiled, be reputed vile.

see HEBREW tame'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be stopped up, stupid
NASB Translation
stupid (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[טָמָה] verb only

Niph`al Perfect נִטְמִינוּ we are stopped up, stupid Job 18:3 so Thes MV Di De Zö (Aramaic טַמֵּם, טַמְטֵם stop up (e.g. of ear or heart), , etc., and derivatives; Arabic fill or choke up); ᵑ9 Ew Hengst AV RV Da SS take it as metaplastic for נִטְמֵאנוּ we are regarded as unclean, see Ew^{§ 198 b} Kö^{i, 614}; ᵐ5 reads נִדְמִינוּ σεσιωπήκαμεν; ᵑ7 טְמַעֲנָא.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek 169: ἀκάθαρτος (akathartos) • meaning unclean, impure
• Strong's Greek 2840: κοινόω (koinoō) • meaning to make common, to defile

These Greek terms are used in the New Testament to convey similar concepts of impurity and defilement, often in the context of discussions about ritual purity and moral conduct.

Usage: The verb טָמָה (tamah) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the state of being ceremonially or ritually unclean. This impurity can result from various causes, including contact with certain animals, diseases, or other conditions that render a person or object unfit for worship or participation in the community's religious life.

Context: The Hebrew verb טָמָה (tamah) is primarily used in the context of ritual purity laws found in the Torah, particularly in the books of Leviticus and Numbers. It describes a state of impurity that requires specific actions for purification. This state of impurity can be temporary and is often associated with physical conditions or actions that are considered defiling according to the Mosaic Law.

In Leviticus, the term is frequently used to describe the impurity resulting from skin diseases, bodily discharges, and contact with dead bodies. For example, in Leviticus 11:24-25, the text states, "These will make you unclean. Whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean until evening, and whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean until evening."

The concept of טָמָה (tamah) extends beyond physical impurity to include moral and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a metaphor for sin and moral defilement, emphasizing the need for holiness and separation from anything that would contaminate one's relationship with God.

The process of purification from טָמָה (tamah) often involves washing, waiting periods, and sometimes offerings, as outlined in the Levitical laws. This purification underscores the importance of maintaining a state of holiness and readiness to approach God in worship.

Forms and Transliterations

וְנִטְמֵתֶ֖ם ונטמתם נִ֝טְמִ֗ינוּ נטמינו niṭ·mî·nū nitMinu niṭmînū venitmeTem wə·niṭ·mê·ṯem wəniṭmêṯem

Englishman's Concordance

Leviticus 11:43
HEB: תִֽטַּמְּאוּ֙ בָּהֶ֔ם וְנִטְמֵתֶ֖ם בָּֽם׃
KJV: that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled
INT: shall not make unclean

Job 18:3
HEB: נֶחְשַׁ֣בְנוּ כַבְּהֵמָ֑ה נִ֝טְמִ֗ינוּ בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם׃
NAS: as beasts, As stupid in your eyes?
KJV: as beasts, [and] reputed vile in your sight?
INT: regarded beasts stupid affliction

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2933
2 Occurrences

niṭ·mî·nū — 1 Occ.
wə·niṭ·mê·ṯem — 1 Occ.