טוּל

ṭûwl /tool/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out
KJV usagecarry away, (utterly) cast (down, forth, out), send out.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ṭûwl, represented by H2904, is a primitive root that signifies a forceful action of throwing or moving. Its base definition is to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out; carry away, (utterly) cast (down, forth, out), send out. It appears 14 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible, illustrating acts of both divine power and human volition.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H2904 is used to describe literal, decisive actions. In the story of Jonah, the terrified mariners cast forth H2904 their cargo into the sea to lighten the ship Jonah 1:5. The word is used again when they cast him forth H2904 into the sea, which then ceases its raging Jonah 1:15. In a display of violent intent, King Saul twice cast H2904 a javelin at David, attempting to smite him (1 Samuel 18:11; 1 Samuel 20:33). The term is also applied to God's sovereign actions, such as when He sent out H2904 a great wind Jonah 1:4 or when He decrees judgment to cast H2904 the people of Judah into exile (Jeremiah 16:13; Jeremiah 22:26).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller context for the actions associated with H2904:

  • H7993 shâlak (to throw out, down or away): This term is a close synonym and is used in parallel with H2904 to emphasize the totality of expulsion. In Jeremiah 22:28, Coniah and his descendants are cast out H7993 and then cast H2904 into a foreign land.
  • H5375 nâsâʼ (to lift, bear up, carry away): This word often describes the action preceding the cast. Jonah instructs the sailors to Take me up H5375, and cast me forth H2904 into the sea Jonah 1:12, an action they then perform.
  • H5307 nâphal (to fall): This word describes a related outcome. A key distinction is made in Psalms 37:24, which states that though a person may fall H5307, he will not be utterly cast down H2904, because the Lord provides support.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2904 is demonstrated through its various applications, highlighting themes of judgment, sovereignty, and preservation.

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The word is frequently used to portray God's absolute power. He can cast H2904 nations into exile Jeremiah 16:13 or carry away H2904 individuals as part of his judgment Isaiah 22:17. This power extends to matters of chance, as the lot is cast H2904 into the lap, but the LORD determines the outcome Proverbs 16:33.
  • Human Action and Intent: The act of casting is not limited to God. It illustrates the consequences of human choice, whether it is Saul's murderous rage 1 Samuel 20:33 or the mariners' desperate act of sacrifice to appease the storm Jonah 1:15.
  • Divine Preservation: In a powerful contrast, the word is used to define the limits of calamity for the righteous. The promise in Psalms 37:24 that a fallen man will not be "utterly cast down" H2904 underscores God's role as the one who upholds his people, preventing their complete overthrow.

Summary

In summary, H2904 is a potent verb that captures a sense of forceful and definitive expulsion or projection. Whether describing a javelin thrown in anger, cargo jettisoned in a storm, or a nation sent into exile by divine decree, ṭûwl conveys an irreversible action. Its usage reveals a core biblical tension between the power that casts down—be it human sin or divine judgment—and the greater power of God who ultimately upholds the righteous.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 14 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Hophal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 2×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hophal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
  • Piel Participle Singular Masculine Construct 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hophal
The passive of the causative (Hiphil) stem.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Jonah (4 verses).

2
1 Samuel
1
Job
1
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Isaiah
3
Jeremiah
1
Ezekiel
4
Jonah

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