### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **tâʼab**, represented by `{{H8373}}`, is a primitive root that means **to desire** or **long**. This specific term is quite rare, appearing only **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible. Both occurrences are found in Psalm 119, where it conveys a profound and heartfelt yearning for God's divine principles and intervention.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H8373}}` expresses an intense spiritual desire. The psalmist declares, "I have **longed** after thy precepts" [[Psalms 119:40]], connecting this deep desire directly to the commandments of God. This longing is immediately followed by a plea to be revived or made alive by God's righteousness. Similarly, the word is used to express a yearning for divine deliverance: "I have **longed** for thy salvation, O LORD" [[Psalms 119:174]]. In this context, the longing is coupled with the declaration that God's law is the source of the psalmist's delight.
### Related Words & Concepts
The objects of the longing expressed by `{{H8373}}` are clarified by several related words found in the same verses:
* `{{H6490}}` **piqqûwd** (precept): This word for God's mandates is what the psalmist longs for in [[Psalms 119:40]], indicating a desire for divine guidance and instruction.
* `{{H3444}}` **yᵉshûwʻâh** (salvation): The longing is directed toward God's salvation, which is defined as deliverance, aid, and victory, highlighting a deep reliance on God for help [[Psalms 119:174]].
* `{{H8451}}` **tôwrâh** (law): In the same breath as longing for salvation, the psalmist states that God's law is his delight, framing this desire within a love for God's revealed will [[Psalms 119:174]].
* `{{H8191}}` **shaʻshuaʻ** (delight): This term is used to describe the psalmist's feeling toward God's law, showing that the longing for salvation comes from a place of joy and enjoyment in God's ways [[Psalms 119:174]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H8373}}` lies in the specific nature of the desire it represents. It is not a casual wish but a profound spiritual aspiration.
* **Desire for God's Will:** The longing is directed toward God's **precepts** `{{H6490}}` and **law** `{{H8451}}`, illustrating a heart that seeks to align itself completely with divine instruction.
* **Hope in Divine Action:** The yearning for **salvation** `{{H3444}}` shows that this desire is rooted in the hope of God's active deliverance and help in the life of the believer.
* **Life through Righteousness:** The psalmist connects his longing for precepts with a plea to be quickened in God's **righteousness** `{{H6666}}`, suggesting that true life is found in pursuing God's moral and just character [[Psalms 119:40]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8373}}` provides a sharp focus on the character of godly desire. Though used infrequently, **tâʼab** powerfully illustrates a heart that yearns not for worldly things, but for the pillars of a spiritual life: God's law, His precepts, and His ultimate salvation. It captures a key element of biblical piety, where the deepest longing of the soul is for a closer relationship with God, defined by His righteousness and life-giving commands.
TRV