טֹהַר
𐤈𐤄𐤓
ṭôhar
H2892 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of being clean or pure, both in physical and ritual terms; often denotes the condition resulting from purification, especially ritual cleansing in the context of the Israelite sanctuary and priestly practices. Can refer concretely to physical cleanness, such as the clarity of water, but more commonly to the abstract condition of ritual or moral purity, as required for participation in communal or sanctuary life.
Semantic Range
purity, cleanness, ritual purity, moral purity, purification, clarity, brightness (rare or metaphorical)
Root / Etymology
From the root טהר (ṭ-h-r), 'to be clean, pure.' טֹהַר is the noun form derived from this root, specifically denoting the quality or state of being pure or clean, in a literal or ritual sense. The root is broadly attested in Semitic languages with meanings related to purity and cleansing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
טֹהַר is used primarily within priestly and cultic contexts, notably in Leviticus and Psalms, where it refers to the status required for approaching sacred spaces or participating in collective rituals. In narrative or poetic passages, it can refer figuratively to moral or internal purity, as in the Psalms ('pure heart'). The term is closely related to טָהֳרָה (taharah), which similarly denotes purification or the state of being clean, but טֹהַר often connotes the ideal or abstract quality of purity, not just the process. English translations sometimes use 'purity,' 'cleanness,' or 'purification,' but these glosses may not fully convey the ritual significance attached to the word in Levitical law. Over time, the term expanded in later Hebrew to encompass ethical and spiritual dimensions of purity, such as inward motives or integrity. The sense of 'brightness' or 'clearness' appears rarely and is secondary, connected metaphorically to moral or ritual clarity, rather than being an independent meaning. The usual English translation 'purity' fits most contexts but should be understood in light of ancient Israelite ritual practice, not merely as a moral abstraction.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from טָהֵר; literally brightness; ceremonially purification; clearness, glory, purifying.
Bantu Hebrew
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טהר (ṭ-h-r) — to be clean, to be pure, to cleanse
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2889 | טָהוֹר | in the pure one |
| H2890 | טְהוֹר | ritually pure |
| H2891 | טָהֵר | I will purify |
| H2893 | טׇהֳרָה | in his ritual purity |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2892-01 |
לָ/טֹֽהַר | latohar | HR/Ncmsa |
for clearness | for purity | 1 |
H2892-02 |
מִ/טְּהָר֑/וֹ | miteharo | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
from his purity | from his purity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2892-01 |
Exodus 24:10 | לָ/טֹֽהַר | latohar | HR/Ncmsa |
for clearness | for purity |
H2892-02 |
Psalms 89:45 | מִ/טְּהָר֑/וֹ | miteharo | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
from his purity | from his purity |