Lexical Summary tahorah: Purity, Cleanness Original Word: טָהֱרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance is cleansed, cleansing, purification Feminine of tohar; ceremonial purification; moral purity -- X is cleansed, cleansing, purification(-fying). see HEBREW tohar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom taher Definition purifying, cleansing NASB Translation becomes clean (1), cleansed (1), cleansing (6), purification (4), purifying (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs טָֽהֳרָה noun feminine purifying, cleansing; — absolute ׳ט Leviticus 12:4 2t.; construct טָהֳרַת 1 Chronicles 23:28; 2Chronicles 30:19; suffix טָהֳרָתוֺ Leviticus 13:7 7t.; — 1 purifying, menstruation Leviticus 12:4,5. 2 cleansing, purification, of leper Leviticus 13:7,35; Leviticus 14:2,23,32; of Nazirite Numbers 6:9; from an issue Leviticus 15:13 (all P); from contact with the dead Ezekiel 44:26; of sacred things in General 1 Chronicles 23:28; of persons for the passover 2Chronicles 30:19; מִשְׁמֶרֶת הַטָּהֳרָה Nehemiah 12:45 the charge, requirement of purification. Topical Lexicon Meaning and EssenceThe word טָהֱרָה speaks of ritual and moral purity—an achieved state of being made clean before God so that fellowship and service may proceed unhindered. It is not mere hygiene; it is a covenantal category bound to holiness, atonement, and access to the presence of the LORD. Cultic Purification in Leviticus Leviticus concentrates twelve of the fifteen occurrences, underscoring that purification stands at the heart of tabernacle worship. Whether the issue is childbirth (Leviticus 12:4-6), skin disease (Leviticus 13:7, Leviticus 13:35; Leviticus 14:2, Leviticus 14:23, Leviticus 14:32), or bodily discharge (Leviticus 15:13), the required ceremonies move the Israelite from uncleanness to טָהֱרָה, enabling renewed participation in communal worship. • Childbirth: “She shall continue in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she must not touch any holy thing” (Leviticus 12:4). Blood, water, hyssop, sacrifices, and priestly pronouncement all converge to secure טָהֱרָה, showing that cleansing is God-granted, not self-achieved. Ritual Purity and Bodily Conditions Uncleanness from natural bodily functions is neither sinful nor shameful, yet it still bars entry to sacred space. The pedagogy is clear: the Holy One requires wholeness, and even involuntary impurity must be addressed through His appointed means. “When the one with a discharge is cleansed, he must count seven days for his cleansing” (Leviticus 15:13). Nazirite Vow and Purification Numbers 6:9 extends the principle beyond ordinary Israelites to the Nazirite, a voluntary emblem of consecration. Contact with death interrupts his vow; only on “the day of his cleansing” may the dedication resume. Set-apart service demands uninterrupted purity. Levitical Service and Temple Worship The Levitical gatekeepers and musicians were charged “to assist with the service of the house of the LORD after their cleansing” (1 Chronicles 23:28). טָהֱרָה thus becomes the threshold requirement for ministering before God, whether handling sacred utensils or leading praise. Post-Exilic Emphasis In the reforms under Hezekiah, a yearning for heart-level purity emerges. The king prays for pilgrims who lacked full ceremonial readiness: “May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone who sets his heart on seeking God … even if he is not cleansed” (2 Chronicles 30:18-19). Here טָהֱרָה is affirmed while its deeper intent—sincere devotion—is highlighted. Nehemiah 12:45 reveals post-exilic priests and Levites “performing the service of their God and the service of purification,” demonstrating continuity of standards even after exile. Prophetic Perspective in Ezekiel Ezekiel envisions restored temple worship: a priest who has defiled himself with a corpse must wait seven days “for his cleansing” (Ezekiel 44:26). The future sanctuary will still honor the unchanging principle that only the pure may minister. Theological Reflection and Typology 1. God’s Holiness: טָהֱרָה upholds the absolute holiness of God and the necessity of mediation. Ministry and Discipleship Implications • Worship Preparation: Corporate gatherings still call for self-examination and confession, echoing the Levitical rhythm. Thus, Strong’s Hebrew 2893 traces a redemptive thread from the tabernacle courts to the New Jerusalem, proclaiming that the God who demands purity also graciously provides it. Forms and Transliterations בְּטָהֳרָתֽוֹ׃ בטהרתו׃ הַֽטָּהֳרָ֔ה הטהרה טָֽהֳרָת֑וֹ טָהֳרַ֖ת טָהֳרָ֑ה טָהֳרָ֗הּ טָהֳרָֽהּ׃ טָהֳרָֽה׃ טָהֳרָת֑וֹ טָהֳרָת֔וֹ טָהֳרָתֽוֹ׃ טהרה טהרה׃ טהרת טהרתו טהרתו׃ כְּטָהֳרַ֥ת כטהרת לְטָהֳרָת֑וֹ לְטָהֳרָת֖וֹ לטהרתו bə·ṭā·ho·rā·ṯōw bəṭāhorāṯōw betohoraTo haṭ·ṭā·ho·rāh haṭṭāhorāh hattohoRah kə·ṭā·ho·raṯ kəṭāhoraṯ ketohoRat lə·ṭā·ho·rā·ṯōw ləṭāhorāṯōw letohoraTo ṭā·ho·rā·ṯōw ṭā·ho·rāh ṭā·ho·raṯ ṭāhorāh ṭāhoraṯ ṭāhorāṯōw tohoRah tohoRat tohoraToLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 12:4 HEB: תֵּשֵׁ֖ב בִּדְמֵ֣י טָהֳרָ֑ה בְּכָל־ קֹ֣דֶשׁ NAS: in the blood of [her] purification for thirty-three KJV: in the blood of her purifying three INT: shall remain the blood of purification any consecrated Leviticus 12:4 Leviticus 12:5 Leviticus 12:6 Leviticus 13:7 Leviticus 13:35 Leviticus 14:2 Leviticus 14:23 Leviticus 14:32 Leviticus 15:13 Numbers 6:9 1 Chronicles 23:28 2 Chronicles 30:19 Nehemiah 12:45 Ezekiel 44:26 15 Occurrences |
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