תָּאָה
𐤕𐤀𐤄
tâʼâh
H8376 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To wander, go astray, or lose one’s way, both literally (of geographical wandering or disorientation) and figuratively (of moral, ethical, or spiritual deviation). In rare cases, may imply confusion or ignorance.
Semantic Range
to wander geographically, to stray from a path, to err or go morally/ethically astray, to be disoriented or confused
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: Derived from the root תעה, which conveys the idea of straying, wandering, or losing direction. It is formed from the three root consonants ת-ע-ה, expressing the act of straying from a path, whether physical or metaphorical.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, תָּאָה primarily denotes the act of wandering, especially in contexts of physical displacement (as with lost sheep or travelers) or, metaphorically, with reference to error or apostasy in religious or ethical contexts. It is used in multiple periods of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel) to describe both literal wanderers and those considered to be in error from correct conduct, often with a negative connotation. Unlike related verbs such as תעה (H8582), which may emphasize apostasy or spiritual wandering, תָּאָה occurs less frequently and retains a more neutral or descriptive sense of literal wandering or getting lost. Later translations sometimes choose terms like 'go astray' or 'err,' but these may not fully capture the strong sense of physical and figurative disorientation present in the original. The word is not directly associated with a specific ethnic or geographic group, and its nuance does not shift markedly across historical eras, though poetic and prophetic literature may amplify figurative senses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to mark off, i.e. (intensively) designate; point out.
Bantu Hebrew
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תעה (t-ʿ-h) — to wander, go astray, lose one's way
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8376-01 |
תְּתָא֥וּ | tetau | HVpi2mp |
you shall mark out | you will cause to wander | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8376-01 |
Numbers 34:7 | תְּתָא֥וּ | tetau | HVpi2mp |
you shall mark out | you will cause to wander |
H8376-01 |
Numbers 34:8 | תְּתָא֖וּ | tetau | HVpi2mp |
you shall mark out | you will cause to wander |