The meaning of “טָמֵא”
Understanding ṭâmêʼ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. - to be foul, especially in a c...
טָמֵא
defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. - to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated) 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 34:13 | “And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:” Word: טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ) | |
| Numbers 19:7 | “Then the priest shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp, and the priest shall be unclean until the even.” Word: טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ) | |
| 2 Kings 23:13 | “And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.” Word: טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ) | |
| Psalms 106:39 | “Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.” Word: טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ) | |
| Jeremiah 7:30 | “For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the Lord: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.” Word: טָמֵא (ṭâmêʼ) |
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Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.