Lexical Summary tuach: To coat, plaster, overlay Original Word: טוּחַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance daub, overlay, plaster, smut A primitive root; to smear, especially with lime -- daub, overlay, plaister, smut. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to overspread, overlay, coat, besmear NASB Translation overlay (1), plaster it over (2), plastered (1), plastered it over (1), plastered over (1), plasterers (1), replaster (1), replastered (2), smeared (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [טוּחַ] verb over-spread, over-lay, coat, besmear (Late Hebrew id.; compare Arabic  re foeda contaminatus fuit, or contaminavit;  camel smeared with tar); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular וְטָח consecutive Leviticus 14:42 (on טַח Isaiah 44:18 see טחח); 3 plural טָחוּ Exodus 22:28; טַחְתֶּם Ezekiel 13:12,14 Infinitive construct לָטוּחַ 1 Chronicles 29:4; Participle plural טָחִים Ezekiel 13:10 2t.; construct טָחֵי Ezekiel 13:11; only P, Ezekiel, Chronicles; — over-spread, coat (with accusative of house) with earth (clay, עָפָר) Leviticus 14:42; over-lay (walls with gold and silver) with accusative of wall 1 Chronicles 29:4; metaphor of coating over Jerusalem, under figure of a wall, with a superficial coating, to hide its real weakness Ezekiel 13:15 (accusative of wall), Ezekiel 13:12 with accusative of coating (טִיחַ); with תָּפֵל (q. v.) Ezekiel 13:11; c. 2accusative Ezekiel 13:10; Ezekiel 13:14; Ezekiel 13:15; compare תָּפֵל וּנְבִיאֶיהָ טָחוּ להם Ezekiel 22:28 where suffix reference to oppressive nobles, i.e. the prophets 'whitewash' for them (their evil deeds). Niph`al Infinitive construct הִטּוֺחַ be coated (with עפר) Leviticus 14:43; and, fully, הִטֹּחַ אתהֿבית Leviticus 14:48 (both P). [טָחַח] verb be besmeared — only Qal Perfect3masculine singular טַח מֵרְאוֺת עֵינֵיהֶם Isaiah 44:18 their eyes have been besmeared so that they do not see, see Di Du, and on singular with subject plural Ges§ 145, 7a; others regard טַח as metaplastic pointing for טָח from טוח, see Sta§ 385d. Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical Usage The verb טוּחַ appears twelve times and consistently pictures the act of coating a surface—whether with mortar, precious metal, or symbolic “whitewash.” In every context, the covering communicates far more than a building technique; it exposes issues of purity, authenticity, and spiritual integrity before the LORD. Construction and Ritual Purity – Leviticus 14:42-48 In the laws governing mildew, טוּחַ describes the priest-directed replastering of a contaminated house. The procedure illustrated three truths: 1. Restoration required complete removal of corruption (“replace the contaminated ones … replaster the house,” Leviticus 14:42). Royal Building Projects – 1 Chronicles 29:4 David’s dedication of “three thousand talents of gold … to overlay the walls of the buildings” shows טוּחַ applied to worship infrastructure. The overlay of gold on temple walls: Idolatry and Spiritual Blindness – Isaiah 44:18 Regarding idol-makers, “He has shut their eyes so they cannot see”. The verb behind “shut” (טוּחַ) evokes a smearing over of eyesight. The false worshiper’s spiritual senses are metaphorically plastered shut—an ironic reversal of Leviticus, where plaster facilitated cleansing. Here it seals in deception, underscoring that idolatry darkens understanding (Romans 1:21-23). Denunciation of False Prophets – Ezekiel 13:10-15 Ezekiel repeatedly condemns prophets who “plaster it with whitewash.” They erect a flimsy wall of lies and then coat it to appear sound: The vivid imagery contrasts superficial assurances of “Peace” with the LORD’s certain verdict. טוּחַ thus becomes a symbol of religious hypocrisy—externally impressive yet structurally doomed. Systemic Corruption – Ezekiel 22:28 In a broader social indictment, “Her prophets plaster for them with whitewash, seeing false visions and divining lies.” Here the verb describes leaders who conceal national sin rather than confront it, allowing injustice to proliferate. Judgment falls not only on the false coat but on the underlying corruption the coat is meant to hide. Theological Reflections 1. True Covering: Scripture elsewhere celebrates coverings provided by God—atoning blood, priestly garments, even the mercy seat. טוּחַ warns that only coverings ordained by God endure. Ministry Applications • Pastoral care must address root issues, not merely cosmetic change. Summary From houses under inspection to walls of deceptive prophecy, טוּחַ confronts readers with the choice between authentic, God-approved covering and the fragile façade of human pretension. The gospel reveals the only lasting overlay: the righteousness of Christ imputed to repentant sinners—an enduring coat never destined to crumble. Forms and Transliterations הִטֹּ֣חַ הִטּֽוֹחַ׃ הַטָּחִ֥ים הטוח׃ הטח הטחים וְטָ֥ח וּבַטָּחִ֥ים ובטחים וטח טַ֤ח טַחְתֶּ֥ם טַחְתֶּֽם׃ טָח֤וּ טָחִ֥ים טָחֵ֥י טח טחו טחי טחים טחתם טחתם׃ לָט֖וּחַ לטוח haṭ·ṭā·ḥîm hattaChim haṭṭāḥîm hiṭ·ṭō·aḥ hiṭ·ṭō·w·aḥ hitToach hiṭṭōaḥ hiṭṭōwaḥ lā·ṭū·aḥ laTuach lāṭūaḥ ṭā·ḥê ṭā·ḥîm ṭā·ḥū tach taChei taChim tachTem taChu ṭaḥ ṭaḥ·tem ṭāḥê ṭāḥîm ṭaḥtem ṭāḥū ū·ḇaṭ·ṭā·ḥîm ūḇaṭṭāḥîm uvattaChim veTach wə·ṭāḥ wəṭāḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 14:42 HEB: אַחֵ֛ר יִקַּ֖ח וְטָ֥ח אֶת־ הַבָּֽיִת׃ NAS: other plaster and replaster the house. KJV: morter, and shall plaister the house. INT: other shall take and replaster the house Leviticus 14:43 Leviticus 14:48 1 Chronicles 29:4 Isaiah 44:18 Ezekiel 13:10 Ezekiel 13:11 Ezekiel 13:12 Ezekiel 13:14 Ezekiel 13:15 Ezekiel 13:15 Ezekiel 22:28 12 Occurrences |
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