תֹ֥הוּ
𐤕𐤄𐤅
tôhûw
futile
A state of formlessness, emptiness, or desolation; specifically, an uninhabited or undistinguished expanse (as in the primeval earth "without form"), or, by extension, a place or situation characterized by disorder, futility, or utter lack. In prophetic and poetic contexts, also denotes chaos, futility, or that which is unreal or insubstantial.
olutuho "empty, emptiness, nothingness" (Ga) · tuhu "emptiness, futility" (Chuka) · tuhu "emptiness, nothingness, futility" (Embu) +3 more1 Samuel 12:21 · Word #12
Lexicon H8414
| Lemma | תֹּהוּ |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤕𐤄𐤅 |
| Transliteration | tôhûw |
| Strong's | H8414 |
| Definition | A state of formlessness, emptiness, or desolation; specifically, an uninhabited or undistinguished expanse (as in the primeval earth "without form"), or, by extension, a place or situation characterized by disorder, futility, or utter lack. In prophetic and poetic contexts, also denotes chaos, futility, or that which is unreal or insubstantial. |
Morphology HNcmsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | futile |
SIBI-P1 Translation H8414-05
formless waste
| Morphological Notes | Masculine singular common noun, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | "Formless waste" preserves the root sense of emptiness and desolation while reflecting the noun’s abstract, singular form. It conveys both the lack of structure and the state of being laid waste inherent in תֹּהוּ. |
View full lexicon entry for H8414 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
futility
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1's 'formless waste' is too specific; in this context, תֹהוּ refers to futility or worthlessness. 'futility' fits the intended meaning. |
Bantu Hebrew
תֹ֥הוּ (tôhûw) — A state of formlessness, emptiness, or desolation; specifically, an uninhabited or undistinguished expanse (as in the primeval earth "without form"), or, by extension, a place or situation characterized by disorder, futility, or utter lack. In prophetic and poetic contexts, also denotes chaos, futility, or that which is unreal or insubstantial.