from טָמֵא; foul in a religious sense; defiled, [phrase] infamous, polluted(-tion), unclean.
Transliteration:ṭâmêʼ
Pronunciation:taw-may'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word ṭâmêʼ (`{{H2931}}`) functions primarily as an adjective meaning "unclean," "defiled," or "polluted." It is derived from the verbal root ṭâmêʼ (`{{H2930}}`), which signifies "to be or become unclean" or "to defile." The core meaning of ṭâmêʼ is not merely physical dirtiness but a state of ritual or moral impurity that renders a person, object, or place unfit for sacred purposes, for participation in the worship of Yahweh, or for dwelling in His presence.
Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Ritual Impurity:** The most prevalent usage, referring to temporary states of uncleanness incurred through contact with specific objects, persons, or conditions (e.g., a corpse, certain bodily discharges, leprosy, consumption of forbidden foods). This form of uncleanness is not inherently sinful but necessitates purification rites to restore ritual cleanness.
* **Moral and Spiritual Defilement:** An extension of the concept, denoting impurity resulting from sin, particularly idolatry, sexual perversion, and bloodshed. This form of defilement is culpable and can lead to severe divine judgment.
* **Figurative Usage:** Less commonly, it can describe something as "infamous" or generally "polluted" beyond the strictly ritual or moral contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The concept of ṭâmêʼ is foundational to the Mosaic Law, appearing extensively throughout the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Numbers, where it defines the boundaries of purity within the Israelite community and in relation to the Tabernacle/Temple.
* **Ritual Uncleanness (Levitical Laws):**
* **Contact with the Dead:** One of the most significant sources of ritual uncleanness, requiring specific purification rituals, including the use of the water of purification (e.g., [[Numbers 19:13]], [[Numbers 19:20]]).
* **Bodily Discharges:** Childbirth (e.g., [[Leviticus 12:2]]), menstruation (e.g., [[Leviticus 15:19]]), and various other bodily flows (e.g., [[Leviticus 15:2]], [[Leviticus 15:3]], [[Leviticus 15:25]]) rendered a person ṭâmêʼ for a specified period.
* **Skin Diseases:** Conditions like *ṣāraʿat* (often translated "leprosy") caused severe and prolonged ritual uncleanness, requiring isolation and priestly examination (e.g., [[Leviticus 13:3]], [[Leviticus 13:11]], [[Leviticus 13:15]]).
* **Forbidden Foods:** The consumption of certain animals designated as "unclean" (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:4]], [[Leviticus 11:7]], [[Leviticus 11:8]]) or contact with their carcasses (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:24]], [[Leviticus 11:26]]) resulted in uncleanness.
* **Consequences:** Ritual uncleanness often led to temporary exclusion from the sacred precincts (Tabernacle/Temple) and the community, necessitating specific purification rites (e.g., washing, waiting periods, sacrifices) to restore ritual cleanness.
* **Moral and Spiritual Defilement:** Beyond ritual defilement, ṭâmêʼ is used to describe the profound impurity caused by sin, which pollutes not only individuals but also the land and the sanctuary.
* **Idolatry:** The worship of other gods and abominable practices are repeatedly described as defiling the people and the land (e.g., [[Leviticus 18:25]], [[Leviticus 18:27]]; [[Ezekiel 20:31]], [[Ezekiel 36:18]]).
* **Sexual Immorality:** Incest, adultery, and other illicit sexual acts are presented as defiling the individual and the community (e.g., [[Leviticus 18:20]], [[Leviticus 18:24]]).
* **Bloodshed:** The shedding of innocent blood is a severe defilement of the land, requiring specific atonement (e.g., [[Numbers 35:33]]).
* **Prophetic Usage:** Prophets frequently employ ṭâmêʼ to condemn Israel's moral and spiritual apostasy, highlighting how their sin has rendered them unclean and estranged from God (e.g., [[Isaiah 6:5]], [[Jeremiah 2:23]], [[Ezekiel 22:4]], [[Haggai 2:13]]). This form of uncleanness carries far graver consequences than ritual uncleanness, often leading to divine judgment and exile.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ṭāhôr (`{{H2889}}`) - "clean, pure":** This is the direct antonym of ṭâmêʼ. The purity laws operate on a binary system, defining what is clean and what is unclean, and prescribing methods for transitioning from a state of uncleanness to cleanness.
* **ṭâmêʼ (`{{H2930}}`) - "to be unclean, defile":** The verbal root from which the adjective ṭâmêʼ (`{{H2931}}`) is derived. It describes the action or process of becoming defiled or causing defilement.
* **qādôš (`{{H6918}}`) - "holy, set apart":** While not a direct antonym, holiness is the ultimate state that uncleanness precludes. The entire system of purity laws serves to guard the holiness of God and His dwelling place, preventing defilement from encroaching upon the sacred. Uncleanness, particularly moral uncleanness, is antithetical to holiness.
* **ḥāṭāʼ (`{{H2398}}`) - "to sin, miss the mark":** Moral uncleanness is directly linked to sin. While ritual uncleanness is not inherently sinful, neglecting the purification requirements for ritual uncleanness could become a sin that defiles the sanctuary.
* **Atonement and Purification:** The concepts of ṭâmêʼ are inextricably linked to the sacrificial system and various purification rites (e.g., washing, sin offerings, guilt offerings, the ashes of the red heifer in [[Numbers 19:9]]). These were divinely ordained means to cleanse from both ritual and, in certain cases, moral defilement, allowing for restoration to the community and access to God's presence.
### Theological Significance
The concept of ṭâmêʼ carries profound theological weight:
* **God's Absolute Holiness:** The pervasive nature of ṭâmêʼ laws underscores the transcendent holiness of Yahweh. God is utterly pure and cannot tolerate impurity in His presence. The purity laws served to teach Israel about God's character and the necessity of maintaining a proper distance from anything that would profane His holy presence among them.
* **Order and Distinction:** The laws regarding ṭâmêʼ established clear distinctions between the sacred and the profane, the clean and the unclean. This framework brought order to Israel's communal and religious life, reinforcing their identity as a people set apart for God.
* **The Pervasiveness of Sin:** While much of ṭâmêʼ relates to ritual uncleanness (which is not inherently sinful), the extension of the term to moral defilement highlights the pervasive and polluting nature of sin. Sin pollutes not only the individual but also the community and the very land, making it unfit for God's dwelling. This emphasizes that true purity is not merely external but internal.
* **Anticipation of a Deeper Cleansing:** The Old Testament purification rituals for ṭâmêʼ were temporary and typological. They could not ultimately cleanse the conscience or remove the root of moral defilement. They pointed forward to a greater, more profound cleansing that would be accomplished through the Messiah. The New Testament teaches that Jesus, through His once-for-all sacrifice, provides ultimate cleansing from all sin and defilement, making His followers truly pure and able to approach a holy God (e.g., [[Hebrews 9:13-14]], [[1 John 1:7]]).
* **Ethical Implications:** The prophetic emphasis on moral ṭâmêʼ demonstrates that external ritual observance without internal righteousness and justice is insufficient. True purity involves a transformed heart that reflects God's character.
### Summary
The Hebrew word ṭâmêʼ (`{{H2931}}`) denotes a state of "uncleanliness," "defilement," or "pollution," predominantly in a religious and ritual context. Its core meaning is rooted in the concept of being unfit for sacred purposes or for the presence of a holy God. While frequently referring to ritual impurity incurred through specific physical contacts or conditions, ṭâmêʼ also powerfully extends to moral and spiritual defilement resulting from sin, idolatry, and sexual perversion, which pollutes the individual, the community, and the land. The extensive purity laws in the Pentateuch, especially Leviticus, reveal God's absolute holiness and His demand for separation from impurity. The direct antonym is ṭāhôr (`{{H2889}}`), "clean" or "pure." The theological significance of ṭâmêʼ lies in its profound revelation of God's character, the pervasive nature of sin, and the necessity of atonement and purification. Ultimately, the Old Testament's temporary cleansings for ṭâmêʼ anticipated the definitive and complete cleansing from all defilement achieved through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, who purifies His people for true communion with a holy God.
TRV