or טָהֹר; from טָהֵר; pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense); clean, fair, pure(-ness).
Transliteration:ṭâhôwr
Pronunciation:taw-hore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word ṭâhôwr (`{{H2889}}`) is an adjective derived from the verb ṭāhēr (`{{H2891}}`), meaning "to be clean, pure." It denotes a state of freedom from defilement, admixture, or impurity. Its semantic range is notably broad, encompassing several key dimensions:
* **Physical or Chemical Purity:** This refers to the unadulterated nature of a substance, such as "pure gold" (e.g., [[Exodus 25:11]]). It signifies something free from foreign elements or blemishes.
* **Ceremonial Purity:** This is a dominant sense, especially within the Pentateuchal legal texts. It describes the ritual state required for participation in sacred activities, consumption of certain foods, or proximity to holy objects and places. It is the antithesis of ṭāmē' (`{{H2931}}`, unclean), indicating fitness for divine presence and worship.
* **Moral or Spiritual Purity:** In a deeper sense, ṭâhôwr describes an inner state of integrity, blamelessness, and freedom from sin. This applies to the heart, mind, and actions, signifying uprightness before God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ṭâhôwr appears extensively throughout the Hebrew Bible, with its meaning often dictated by its immediate context.
* **Ritual and Cultic Contexts (Pentateuch):** The most frequent occurrences are found in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, where ṭâhôwr is fundamental to the Mosaic Law.
* **Dietary Laws:** The distinction between ṭâhôwr and ṭāmē' animals dictates what may be eaten (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:47]], [[Deuteronomy 14:4]]).
* **Sacrificial Offerings:** Only ṭâhôwr animals were acceptable for sacrifice (e.g., [[Leviticus 1:3]]).
* **Tabernacle/Temple Articles:** Objects used in worship, such as the menorah, the altar of incense, and the table for the bread of the Presence, were to be made of "pure" gold (e.g., [[Exodus 25:31]], [[Exodus 30:3]]). This emphasized the sanctity required for God's dwelling place.
* **Personal Purity:** Individuals who became ceremonially ṭāmē' (e.g., through childbirth, skin diseases, or contact with a corpse) had to undergo specific purification rites to become ṭâhôwr again, allowing them to re-enter the community and the sanctuary (e.g., [[Leviticus 12:4]], [[Leviticus 14:7]]). The purpose was to maintain the sanctity of the camp and avoid defiling God's holy dwelling (e.g., [[Numbers 5:2]]).
* **Moral and Ethical Contexts (Psalms, Proverbs, Prophets):** Beyond the ritual, ṭâhôwr takes on a profound ethical dimension.
* **God's Word and Law:** The words of the LORD are described as "pure" (e.g., [[Psalm 12:6]]), and His commandment as "pure," enlightening the eyes (e.g., [[Psalm 19:8]]). This highlights the moral perfection and truthfulness of divine revelation.
* **Heart and Conduct:** Wisdom literature often links ṭâhôwr to inner character. A "pure heart" is a prerequisite for seeing God or speaking gracefully (e.g., [[Psalm 24:4]], [[Proverbs 22:11]]). The desire for a "clean heart" is a plea for moral renewal (e.g., [[Psalm 51:10]]).
* **Eschatological Cleansing:** Prophets like Ezekiel envision a future where God will "sprinkle clean water" on His people, making them ṭâhôwr from all their impurities and idols, signifying a complete spiritual renewal (e.g., [[Ezekiel 36:25]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of ṭâhôwr is enriched by its relationship to other key biblical terms:
* **Antonym:** The most significant antonym is ṭāmē' (`{{H2931}}`), "unclean" or "impure." The binary opposition between ṭâhôwr and ṭāmē' forms the bedrock of Israelite purity laws, defining the boundaries of what is permissible and what defiles.
* **Verb Root:** ṭāhēr (`{{H2891}}`), "to be clean, pure; to cleanse, purify." This verb describes the action or process of achieving a state of ṭâhôwr.
* **Nouns:**
* ṭohorâh (`{{H2900}}`): "purification, cleansing."
* ṭōhar (`{{H2892}}`): "purity, clearness."
* **Holiness (qōdeš, `{{H6944}}`):** While distinct, purity is intimately connected to holiness. God is inherently holy, and ṭâhôwr is the state required for created beings to approach or interact with His holiness without defilement. Purity serves as a gateway to the holy.
* **Sin (ḥaṭṭā't, `{{H2403}}`):** Sin is the ultimate source of moral and spiritual impurity, rendering individuals ṭāmē' before God and necessitating purification.
* **Atonement (kāpar, `{{H3722}}`):** The ritual processes of atonement, often involving sacrifice, were the divinely ordained means by which impurity was removed and a state of ṭâhôwr was restored.
### Theological Significance
The concept of ṭâhôwr is central to biblical theology, revealing profound truths about God, humanity, and salvation.
* **God's Nature and Demands:** The pervasive emphasis on ṭâhôwr reflects God's absolute purity and holiness. He is utterly set apart from all defilement, and His presence cannot tolerate impurity. This divine character necessitates purity in those who would approach Him.
* **Access to God:** The system of ṭâhôwr and ṭāmē' served as a pedagogical tool, teaching Israel that unhindered fellowship and worship of God required a state of ritual and moral purity. It underscored the seriousness of sin and defilement as barriers to divine communion.
* **Covenantal Relationship:** Maintaining ṭâhôwr was integral to Israel's covenant relationship with God. It was a visible demonstration of their commitment to be a holy people, set apart from the nations whose practices were ṭāmē'.
* **From External to Internal:** While the Old Testament began with a strong emphasis on external, ritual purity, the prophets and wisdom literature progressively highlighted the need for an internal, moral ṭâhôwr. This shift anticipates the New Covenant's focus on the purity of the heart and conscience.
* **Anticipation of Christ's Work:** The constant need for purification under the Old Covenant revealed humanity's inability to achieve lasting ṭâhôwr on its own. This pointed forward to the definitive and perfect cleansing provided by Jesus Christ. Through His atoning sacrifice, believers are made truly ṭâhôwr from sin, not merely ritually, but spiritually and eternally (e.g., [[Hebrews 9:13-14]], [[Titus 2:14]]). He is the ultimate means by which humanity can stand ṭâhôwr before a holy God.
### Summary
ṭâhôwr (`{{H2889}}`) is a foundational Hebrew term meaning "pure" or "clean," encompassing physical, ceremonial, and moral dimensions. It is prominently featured in the Pentateuch, where it defines ritual fitness for approaching a holy God and for participation in the life of the covenant community. Beyond the cultic, ṭâhôwr extends to describe moral integrity and an undefiled heart in the Psalms and Wisdom literature. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute purity, the necessity of human purity for divine fellowship, and the progressive revelation of purity from external ritual to internal spiritual transformation. Ultimately, the Old Testament's emphasis on ṭâhôwr anticipates the perfect and lasting cleansing from sin achieved through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who makes His people truly ṭâhôwr in the sight of God.
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