Lexical Summary taavah: desire, delight, favorite Original Word: תַּאֲוָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dainty, desire, exceedingly, greedily, lusting, pleasant From 'avah (abbreviated); a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm) -- dainty, desire, X exceedingly, X greedily, lust(ing), pleasant. See also Qibrowth hat-Ta'a-vah. see HEBREW 'avah see HEBREW Qibrowth hat-Ta'a-vah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as avah Definition a desire NASB Translation delight (1), desire (14), desires* (1), favorite (1), greedy (1), intensely (1), what is desirable (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs תַּאֲוָה noun feminine desire — absolute Genesis 3:6 +; construct תַּאֲוַת Psalm 10:3 + etc.; — desire, wish Proverbs 13:12,19; Proverbs 18:1; of physical appetite, longing for dainty food מַאֲכַל ׳ת Job 33:20; distinctly good sense Psalm 10:17; Psalm 38:10; Proverbs 11:23; Proverbs 19:22 (? compare below) Isaiah 26:8 (נָֿ֑פֶשׁ׳לְשִׁמְךָ וּלְזִכְרְךָ ת); bad sense, lust, appetite, covetousness Psalm 10:3 (׳ת נַפְשׁוֺ) Psalm 112:10; Proverbs 21:25,26 (as accusative of cognate meaning); particularly of longing for dainties of Egypt Numbers 11:4; Psalm 106:14 (both accusative of cognate meaning) Psalm 78:30 & in proper name given to place where it occurred קִבְרוֺת הַתַּאֲוָה (q. v.) Numbers 11:34,35; Numbers 33:16,17; Deuteronomy 9:22. 2 thing desired, in good sense Proverbs 10:24; bad sense Psalm 78:29 so לִבּוֺ ׳ת Psalm 21:3; thing desirable (to senses) Genesis 3:6 (לְעֵינַיִם ׳ת); perhaps also Proverbs 19:22 the ornament of a man is his kindness (Ra Ki, etc. but compare above) Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew noun תַּאֲוָה appears twenty-one times in the Old Testament, functioning as a mirror that reflects the entire spectrum of human longing—from holy yearning for the LORD’s name (Isaiah 26:8) to destructive cravings that bring judgment (Numbers 11:4). Scripture therefore employs the word to expose the moral quality of desire and to reveal how the covenant God responds to the heart’s pursuits. First Appearance and the Fall Narrative Genesis 3:6 introduces תַּאֲוָה at the fountainhead of sin: “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and pleasing to the eyes, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it.” The craving for wisdom apart from God’s command moves human desire from innocent delight to autonomous rebellion. All subsequent usages echo this foundational scene, either repeating its tragedy or offering redemptive contrast. Desire in the Wilderness Experience Numbers 11:4-34 records Israel’s “strong craving” for Egyptian fare. The word frames the episode in Psalm 78:29-30 and Psalm 106:14, where the LORD grants their lusts yet sends leanness to their souls, underscoring that unbridled appetite invites divine discipline. The naming of Kibroth-hattaavah (“graves of craving”) etches the lesson in Israel’s geography: uncontrolled desire can dig literal graves. Contrasting Paths in Wisdom Literature Proverbs sets תַּאֲוָה at the crossroads of righteousness and wickedness. The polarity teaches that desire itself is not evil; its moral value depends on orientation—toward God and neighbor or toward self. Desire in the Psalms The Psalter alternates between warnings and worship: The Psalms therefore validate godly longing while exposing its counterfeit. The psalmists invite believers to pour out every aspiration before the sovereign King, confident He sifts and sanctifies the heart. Prophetic Vision Isaiah 26:8 gathers redeemed longing into a single aim: “Our desire is for Your name and renown.” In the midst of national upheaval the prophet models a sanctified craving that anchors hope in God’s character, anticipating the ultimate vindication of His glory. Theological Reflections 1. Desire reveals worship. One’s תַּאֲוָה marks the true object of devotion—whether the Creator or created things. Historical and Ministry Significance • Israel’s wilderness failure warns congregations against nostalgia for a former life of bondage (Numbers 11). Practical Application 1. Preach the twofold path of desire—righteous vs. unrighteous—to cultivate godly appetites. Eschatological Horizon All righteous desire converges on the consummation, when “the desire of all nations” (Haggai 2:7, conceptually related) is revealed. The final state answers Isaiah 26:8 as the redeemed eternally delight in God’s name. Thus תַּאֲוָה ultimately finds its fulfillment not in temporal gifts but in the face of the Lord Himself. Forms and Transliterations וְ֝תַֽאֲוָתָ֗ם וְתַאֲוַ֖ת ותאות ותאותם לְֽ֭תַאֲוָה לתאוה מִתַּאֲוָתָ֑ם מתאותם תְּאַוֶּ֖ה תַ֭אֲוָה תַּאֲוַ֖ת תַּאֲוַ֣ת תַּאֲוַ֬ת תַּאֲוַת־ תַּאֲוָ֑ה תַּאֲוָ֣ה תַּאֲוָ֥ה תַּאֲוָֽה׃ תַּאֲוָתִ֑י תַֽאֲוָה־ תַאֲוָ֑ה תאוה תאוה־ תאוה׃ תאות תאות־ תאותי lə·ṯa·’ă·wāh ləṯa’ăwāh Letaavah mit·ta·’ă·wā·ṯām mitta’ăwāṯām mittaavaTam ta’ăwāh ṯa’ăwāh ṯa’ăwāh- ta’ăwaṯ ta’ăwaṯ- ta’ăwāṯî ta·’ă·wā·ṯî ta·’ă·wāh ṯa·’ă·wāh ṯa·’ă·wāh- ta·’ă·waṯ ta·’ă·waṯ- taavah taaVat taavaTi tə’awweh tə·’aw·weh teavVeh vetaaVat vetaavaTam wə·ṯa·’ă·wā·ṯām wə·ṯa·’ă·waṯ wəṯa’ăwaṯ wəṯa’ăwāṯāmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 3:6 HEB: לְמַאֲכָ֜ל וְכִ֧י תַֽאֲוָה־ ה֣וּא לָעֵינַ֗יִם NAS: for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, KJV: and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, INT: food for A delight and that it to the eyes Numbers 11:4 1 Samuel 2:16 Job 33:20 Psalm 10:3 Psalm 10:17 Psalm 21:2 Psalm 38:9 Psalm 78:29 Psalm 78:30 Psalm 106:14 Psalm 112:10 Proverbs 10:24 Proverbs 11:23 Proverbs 13:12 Proverbs 13:19 Proverbs 18:1 Proverbs 19:22 Proverbs 21:25 Proverbs 21:26 Isaiah 26:8 21 Occurrences |
    |