### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **talʼûwbâh**, represented by `{{H8514}}`, describes a condition of **great drought**. It appears only **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its singular use particularly poignant. Derived from a root meaning desiccation, this term denotes an environment of extreme dryness and barrenness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H8514}}` is in [[Hosea 13:5]], where God recounts His foundational relationship with Israel. He reminds them, "I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of **great drought**" [[Hosea 13:5]]. In this context, the word is not merely a weather report; it is a powerful descriptor of the nation's state of utter dependence. It characterizes the wilderness wanderings as a period of intense hardship where survival was impossible without divine intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of `{{H8514}}` is illuminated by the words surrounding it in its only biblical context:
* `{{H3045}}` **yâdaʻ** (to know): God's knowledge of Israel in this harsh land was not a passive awareness but an active, intimate relationship. It was a time of testing to "know what was in thine heart" [[Deuteronomy 8:2]] and required Israel to "acknowledge" Him in all their ways [[Proverbs 3:6]].
* `{{H4057}}` **midbâr** (wilderness): This term signifies the specific setting of the "great drought." The wilderness was a place of divine trial [[Deuteronomy 8:2]] but also of God's miraculous provision, where He would "make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" [[Isaiah 43:19]].
* `{{H776}}` **ʼerets** (land): This word specifies the location as a "land" or territory defined by its great drought. While it can refer to the entire earth created by God [[Genesis 1:1]], here it pinpoints a specific geography that God can heal [[2 Chronicles 7:14]] or in which His glory can be revealed [[Psalms 57:5]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H8514}}` is concentrated in its single usage, highlighting several key themes.
* **Divine Providence in Barrenness:** The "land of great drought" serves as the backdrop for God's faithfulness. By sustaining Israel in a place of desiccation, God demonstrates that His power is not limited by natural circumstances.
* **A Crucible of Relationship:** The shared experience in the land of "great drought" was foundational to the covenant. God's act of "knowing" `{{H3045}}` His people in this severe environment establishes a relationship forged not in comfort but in profound dependence and trial.
* **The Nature of Testing:** The phrase underscores the severity of the wilderness `{{H4057}}` as a place of testing. The purpose of this trial, as stated in [[Deuteronomy 8:2]], was to humble Israel and reveal the true state of their hearts. The "great drought" was the mechanism for this test.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H8514}}` is a highly specific and potent term. Though used only once, **talʼûwbâh** transforms the "wilderness" from a simple geographic location into a theological symbol. It represents a state of absolute lack where God's intimate knowledge and sustaining power were most clearly demonstrated, establishing a foundational memory of dependence and divine faithfulness for Israel.
TRV