from טָהֵר; literally brightness; ceremonially purification; clearness, glory, purifying.
Transliteration:ṭôhar
Pronunciation:to'-har
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word ṭôhar (`{{H2892}}`) is derived from the root ṭāhēr (`{{H2891}}`), meaning "to be clean" or "to be pure." Its semantic range is multifaceted, encompassing both literal and figurative dimensions. Primarily, ṭôhar denotes "brightness" or "clearness," suggesting a state of being unblemished, transparent, or radiant. This literal sense extends to "glory" or "splendor," particularly in contexts referring to majesty or divine presence. Secondarily, ṭôhar refers to "purification" or "cleanness" in a ceremonial or moral sense. This dimension highlights the process or state of being made pure, free from defilement, whether ritual impurity or ethical blemish. Thus, ṭôhar signifies a state of pristine clarity, unblemished purity, and inherent radiance, applicable to both physical appearance and spiritual condition.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Despite its rich semantic potential, ṭôhar (`{{H2892}}`) appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering a distinct yet interconnected nuance:
1. **Exodus 24:10**: "And they saw the God of Israel. And under His feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire, like the very ṭôhar of the sky in its clearness."
* Here, ṭôhar describes the dazzling clarity and transparency of the sapphire pavement under God's feet. It emphasizes the unblemished, pristine nature of the divine presence, akin to the absolute clearness of a cloudless sky. This usage highlights the visual aspect of purity and brilliance, underscoring the transcendent holiness of God.
2. **Job 17:9**: "The righteous man holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger in ṭôhar."
* In this poetic utterance, ṭôhar refers to moral purity and integrity. Job asserts that a person of upright character, whose hands are "clean" (metaphorically, free from unrighteous deeds), will continue to grow in this state of blamelessness. This context shifts the meaning from a physical attribute to an ethical one, emphasizing the internal, spiritual purity of the righteous.
3. **Psalm 89:44**: "You have made his ṭôhar cease, and cast his throne to the ground."
* This verse laments the downfall of a king, where ṭôhar is often translated as "splendor," "glory," or "brightness." It refers to the outward manifestation of royal majesty, authority, and honor. The cessation of the king's ṭôhar signifies the loss of his regal dignity and the collapse of his kingdom, implying a divine withdrawal of favor that results in the dimming of his former brilliance.
These three occurrences demonstrate the word's versatility, moving from the visual clarity of the divine realm to the moral uprightness of humanity and the outward splendor of earthly kingship.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of ṭôhar (`{{H2892}}`) is deeply intertwined with its root ṭāhēr (`{{H2891}}`), which serves as the foundational verb for "to be clean" or "to be pure." Other significant related terms include:
* **ṭāhôr (`{{H2889}}`)**: The adjective "pure," "clean," frequently used in the context of ritual purity (e.g., pure gold, pure oil, pure vessels) and moral purity.
* **ṭohorāh (`{{H2893}}`)**: The noun "purification" or "cleansing," often referring to the ritual process of becoming clean, particularly in Levitical law.
* **kābôd (`{{H3519}}`)**: "Glory," "honor," "splendor." While ṭôhar emphasizes brightness and unblemished quality, kābôd often denotes weight, substance, and manifested glory, especially divine glory. There is an overlap in the sense of splendor and majesty.
* **qādôsh (`{{H6918}}`)**: "Holy." Holiness implies separation and purity, a state of being set apart for God. ṭôhar contributes to the understanding of what it means to be holy—unblemished and pure.
Conceptually, ṭôhar relates to:
* **Holiness**: As seen in Exodus 24:10, God's inherent ṭôhar is foundational to His holiness.
* **Righteousness**: In Job 17:9, ṭôhar is a characteristic of the righteous, underscoring blamelessness and integrity.
* **Light and Radiance**: The literal sense of brightness connects ṭôhar to divine illumination and the manifestation of God's presence.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ṭôhar (`{{H2892}}`) is profound, touching upon the nature of God, the requirements for human interaction with the divine, and the character of righteous living.
1. **Divine Purity and Transcendence**: In Exodus 24:10, ṭôhar describes the environment of God's very being. This highlights God's absolute, unblemished purity and His transcendent glory. The "clearness of the sky" imagery conveys an unadulterated, perfect state, far removed from earthly defilement. It underscores the biblical truth that God is utterly pure and separate from sin.
2. **Moral and Ethical Purity**: The usage in Job 17:9 speaks to the internal, moral purity required of humanity. It is not merely an external ritualistic cleansing, but an inward state of blamelessness and integrity. This emphasizes that true purity extends beyond ceremonial conformity to the very disposition of the heart and the actions of one's life. The righteous person's increasing ṭôhar suggests a progressive sanctification or deepening of moral integrity.
3. **Reflected Glory and Authority**: In Psalm 89:44, ṭôhar refers to the king's splendor. This suggests that earthly authority and glory, when legitimately exercised, are a reflection of divine order and favor. The loss of ṭôhar signifies a loss of divine blessing and the accompanying majesty, highlighting the conditional nature of human power and the ultimate sovereignty of God.
Collectively, ṭôhar underscores the pervasive biblical theme of purity as a prerequisite for divine encounter and a hallmark of true righteousness. It points to the inherent purity of God, the aspirational purity for humanity, and the fragile nature of reflected glory.
### Summary
ṭôhar (`{{H2892}}`) is a rich Hebrew term derived from the root ṭāhēr (`{{H2891}}`), encompassing the concepts of "brightness," "clearness," "purification," and "glory." Its limited but significant occurrences in the Old Testament illuminate its multifaceted meaning. In [[Exodus 24:10]], it describes the dazzling, unblemished clarity of the divine realm, signifying God's transcendent purity. In [[Job 17:9]], ṭôhar refers to the moral integrity and blamelessness of the righteous individual, highlighting an internal ethical state. Finally, in [[Psalm 89:44]], it denotes the splendor and majesty of royal authority, whose cessation indicates divine disfavor and the loss of legitimate rule. Theologically, ṭôhar points to God's inherent holiness, the imperative for human moral and ceremonial purity, and the conditional nature of human glory as a reflection of divine favor. It is a word that encapsulates both the pristine nature of the divine and the aspirational state of humanity in its pursuit of righteousness.
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