from an unused root meaning to burn; a boil or ulcer (from the inflammation), especially a tumorin the anus or pudenda (the piles); emerod.
Transliteration:ṭᵉchôr
Pronunciation:tekh-ore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H2914}}` (ṭᵉchôr) derives from an unused root signifying "to burn," pointing to an inherent quality of inflammation, heat, and pain. Its primary semantic range encompasses a severe physical affliction: a boil or ulcer, specifically characterized by swelling and discomfort. The definition further refines this to "especially a tumor in the anus or pudenda (the piles)," indicating a particularly painful and debilitating condition often referred to as "emerods" in older English translations. Thus, `{{H2914}}` describes not merely a superficial skin lesion but a deep-seated, inflamed growth, frequently located in sensitive bodily areas, causing significant distress and incapacitation. The underlying sense of "burning" underscores the intense discomfort associated with this malady.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H2914}}` appears prominently in the biblical narrative, primarily within the account of the Ark of the Covenant's capture by the Philistines and its subsequent return.
In [[1 Samuel 5:6]], the hand of the LORD is described as heavy upon the people of Ashdod, afflicting them with `{{H2914}}`. This divine plague intensifies in [[1 Samuel 5:9]], where a "very great panic" accompanies the outbreak of `{{H2914}}` among all the men of Gath, "both small and great." The severity is further emphasized in [[1 Samuel 5:12]], where those who did not die were "struck with tumors," leading to a city-wide cry of distress. The Philistine priests and diviners, recognizing the plague as divine judgment, advise making a guilt offering of "five golden tumors" ([[1 Samuel 6:4]]) and "images of your tumors" ([[1 Samuel 6:5]]) to appease the God of Israel. This act underscores both the physical manifestation of the disease and its symbolic significance as a marker of divine wrath.
Beyond the Philistine narrative, `{{H2914}}` also appears in [[Deuteronomy 28:27]], where it is listed among the severe curses that will befall Israel if they disobey the LORD. Here, it is juxtaposed with "boils of Egypt," "scabs," and "itch," forming a catalogue of debilitating and incurable skin diseases. This inclusion in a covenantal curse highlights its nature as a profound physical affliction, often associated with divine retribution for disobedience. The context consistently portrays `{{H2914}}` as a painful, humiliating, and often widespread malady, directly linked to God's judgment or a consequence of covenant infidelity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H2914}}` benefits from examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and concepts.
* **`{{H7063}}` (shᵉchîn):** This word, often translated as "boil" or "festering sore," appears alongside `{{H2914}}` in [[Deuteronomy 28:27]]. While `{{H7063}}` is a more general term for a severe cutaneous inflammation, its co-occurrence with `{{H2914}}` suggests a shared semantic field of painful, eruptive skin conditions. `{{H2914}}` specifies a particular type of `{{H7063}}`, likely one with a distinct anatomical location or severity.
* **`{{H5820}}` (ʿăpōlîm):** This term, also translated as "emerods" or "tumors" in the KJV, is found in various manuscripts of 1 Samuel 5-6, sometimes alongside or in place of `{{H2914}}`. While `{{H5820}}` literally means "mounds" or "hills," in this context, it functions as a euphemism or a descriptive term for the swellings or tumors, particularly those associated with piles. The Septuagint's rendering of these terms often points to afflictions of the buttocks or groin, reinforcing the specific anatomical location implied by `{{H2914}}`. The close association, and at times interchangeability, of `{{H2914}}` and `{{H5820}}` in the textual tradition suggests they refer to the same or a very similar debilitating condition.
* **Plague/Pestilence:** The affliction of `{{H2914}}` is consistently presented as a divine plague (e.g., `{{H5061}}`, negeph - "plague, blow"). This connects `{{H2914}}` to the broader biblical concept of God using widespread disease as a means of judgment or demonstrating His power. The association with mice in 1 Samuel 6, while debated, has led some scholars to link the Philistine plague to a rodent-borne disease like bubonic plague, where buboes (swollen lymph nodes) are a prominent symptom, fitting the description of `{{H2914}}`.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2914}}` is profound, primarily serving as a potent symbol of divine judgment and sovereignty.
* **Divine Retribution:** The most prominent theological implication is God's direct intervention in human affairs through punitive affliction. The `{{H2914}}` inflicted upon the Philistines is a clear demonstration of Yahweh's wrath against those who desecrate His holiness by capturing the Ark of the Covenant. It illustrates that God will not be mocked and will defend His honor and presence.
* **Consequences of Disobedience and Disrespect:** For the Philistines, the `{{H2914}}` represents the severe consequences of their disrespect for the Ark and, by extension, for the God of Israel. For Israel, as outlined in Deuteronomy, the threat of `{{H2914}}` serves as a stark warning against covenant infidelity, emphasizing that disobedience brings physical suffering and divine displeasure.
* **God's Sovereignty Over Life and Health:** The ability to inflict such a painful and debilitating disease, and conversely, to remove it, underscores God's ultimate sovereignty over life, death, and human well-being. He is the one who can "strike" and "heal," demonstrating His absolute control over creation and human destiny.
* **Humiliation and Atonement:** The nature of the `{{H2914}}`—a painful, often unsightly, and potentially debilitating condition in sensitive areas—also carries a dimension of humiliation. This physical suffering serves not only as punishment but also as a catalyst for recognition and repentance, as seen in the Philistines' decision to offer a guilt offering and return the Ark. The golden images of the tumors were a tangible confession of their affliction and an attempt to appease the offended deity.
### Summary
`{{H2914}}` (ṭᵉchôr) refers to a painful, burning boil or tumor, specifically understood as hemorrhoids or anal/genital swellings. Biblically, it is almost exclusively associated with divine judgment. It functions as a key element in the narrative of the Ark's capture by the Philistines, where it manifests as a severe plague demonstrating God's power and wrath against those who dishonor His sacred presence. Furthermore, its inclusion in the list of curses in Deuteronomy underscores its role as a consequence of covenant disobedience for Israel. Theologically, `{{H2914}}` powerfully illustrates divine retribution, God's absolute sovereignty over physical well-being, and the humbling consequences of disrespecting His holiness. The Philistines' response to this affliction, including the offering of golden images of their tumors, highlights the profound recognition of divine intervention and the desire for atonement that such a painful and humiliating plague could evoke.
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