Lexical Summary tavah: To sink, to drown, to settle, to plunge Original Word: תָּוָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scrabble, set a mark A primitive root (or perhaps ident. With tavah through a similar idea from scraping to pieces); to grieve -- limit (by confusion with tavah). see HEBREW tavah see HEBREW tavah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition probably to pain, wound NASB Translation pained (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. [תָּוָה] verb Hiph`il probably pain, wound (figurative) (Aramaic  (often), תְּוָא (rare) תְּהָא ᵑ7J, all repent); — Perfect3plural הַתְווּ ׳וּקְדוֺשׁ יִשׂ Psalm 78:41 ("" וַיְנַסּוּ) the Holy OnE of Israel they painEd (ᵐ5 παρώξυναν). Topical Lexicon Definition and Semantic Range The verb תָּוָה (tavah) conveys the idea of drawing or scoring a line, thereby setting a boundary or limit. In its lone biblical appearance (Psalm 78:41) the term is used figuratively of Israel “marking off” God—imposing artificial limits on His power through unbelief and rebellion. Usage in Scripture Psalm 78 rehearses Israel’s wilderness history. Verse 41 reads, “Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel” (Berean Standard Bible). The testing took the form of drawing boundaries around what God could or would do. Israel’s skepticism at Meribah (Exodus 17:7), complaint over manna (Numbers 11:4-6), and refusal to enter Canaan (Numbers 14:1-4) exemplify such limiting attitudes, even though the root tavah itself appears only in Psalm 78:41. Historical Setting Psalm 78 is attributed to Asaph and was likely composed during the united monarchy to instruct later generations (Psalm 78:5-7). By recalling the exodus and wilderness failures, Asaph warns an established nation not to repeat its ancestors’ error of circumscribing God’s might. Theological Insights 1. Divine Omnipotence versus Human Unbelief God’s sovereignty is absolute (Psalm 115:3), yet human unbelief can “limit” the manifestation of His works among His covenant people (cf. Mark 6:5-6). The people’s attempt to bound God contradicts His self-revelation as “I AM” (Exodus 3:14), unlimited in power and fidelity (Deuteronomy 7:9). The phrase “the Holy One of Israel” underscores the offense: limiting God is not merely doubt; it is profaning His holiness (Isaiah 30:11-15). Related Biblical Themes • Testing God: Deuteronomy 6:16; Psalm 95:8-11; Matthew 4:7 Christological Connection Jesus confronts the same limiting mindset in Nazareth (Mark 6:5). His unlimited power is embraced by the centurion (Matthew 8:8-10) and the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:28-29), illustrating the blessing that flows when faith refuses to draw restricting lines around the Holy One. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching and Teaching: Psalm 78:41 serves as a cautionary text against congregational complacency and unbelief. Summary תָּוָה highlights the tragic irony of finite people attempting to impose boundaries on the Infinite One. Psalm 78:41 stands as a perpetual summons to trust without reservation, ensuring that no human line is ever drawn across the canvas of God’s redemptive power. Forms and Transliterations הִתְווּ׃ התוו׃ hiṯ·wū hitvu hiṯwūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 78:41 HEB: וּקְד֖וֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל הִתְווּ׃ NAS: God, And pained the Holy One KJV: God, and limited the Holy One INT: the Holy of Israel and pained |
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