English · KJV
H2905

טוּר

ṭûwr /toor/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom an unused root meaning to range in a regular manner
Meaninga row; hence, a wall
KJV usagerow.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ṭûwr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ṭûwr, represented by H2905, primarily means a row or a wall. It appears 26 times across 20 unique verses in the Bible. The term comes from a root meaning to range in a regular manner, and it is used to describe orderly arrangements in both sacred and architectural contexts.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H2905 is used to describe orderly and structured arrangements, particularly in contexts of sacred worship and royal architecture. It is prominently featured in the description of the high priest's breastplate, which was to have "four rows of stones" (Exodus 28:17, Exodus 39:10). The word also defines architectural structures in Solomon's Temple, such as the inner court built with "three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams" 1 Kings 6:36. Furthermore, it is used for decorative elements, including "two hundred pomegranates in rows round about" on the pillar chapiters 1 Kings 7:20 and the "two rows of oxen" cast for the great sea 2 Chronicles 4:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of orderly structure and materials:

  • H1129 bânâh (to build): This root is fundamental to the architectural context of H2905. It is used to describe the action of constructing the temple courts with "rows" of stone and cedar 1 Kings 6:36.
  • H68 ʼeben (a stone): This word is frequently paired with H2905 to describe the material being arranged. The high priest's breastplate, for instance, was to have "four rows of stones" Exodus 28:17.
  • H1496 gâzîyth (dressed stone): This specifies the type of material used in the architectural rows, indicating skilled workmanship, as seen in the construction of the inner court with "rows of hewed stone" 1 Kings 6:36.
  • H2918 ṭîyrâh (a wall; row): This feminine equivalent is used in parallel with H2905 to describe rows of structures, such as the "boiling places under the rows" in Ezekiel's vision Ezekiel 46:23.

Theological Significance

The significance of H2905 is rooted in the biblical emphasis on divine order and intentional design.

  • Divine Order: The meticulous arrangement of gems into rows on the high priest's breastplate Exodus 28:17 and the specified rows of materials for the temple's courts 1 Kings 6:36 highlight a God of order, not chaos. The structure is part of the sacred instruction.
  • Structured Beauty: The term is used not just for foundational elements but also for decorative features like rows of pomegranates 1 Kings 7:18 and cast oxen 2 Chronicles 4:3. This connects the concept of orderly arrangement with aesthetic beauty, reflecting a design that is both functional and glorious.
  • Architectural Integrity: In passages like 1 Kings 7:2, where the "house of the forest of Lebanon" is built upon "four rows of cedar pillars," the word underscores the strength and stability derived from a well-ordered foundation.

Summary

In summary, H2905 ṭûwr is a specific term that signifies more than just a line of objects. It conveys a sense of divine order, structural integrity, and intentional beauty. Whether describing the precious gems on the priest's breastplate Exodus 28:17, the foundational layers of the LORD's house 1 Kings 6:36, or the ornate decorations on its pillars 1 Kings 7:20, ṭûwr consistently points to a world designed with precision, purpose, and glory.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 26 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • טוּרִים
  • טּוּר
  • טוּר
  • טוּרֵי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1129 בָּנָה a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), H68 אֶבֶן from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (ch H1496 גָּזִית from גָּזָה; something cut, i.e. dressed stone; hewed, hewn stone, wrought. H2918 טִירָה feminine of (an equivalent to) טוּר; a wall; hence, a fortress or a hamlet; (goodly) castle, habitation, palace, row.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 20 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Kings (9 verses); never once in the other 35.

8
Exodus
9
1 Kings
2
2 Chronicles
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.