Lexical Summary Tochu: Middle, midst, interior Original Word: תֹּחוּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance good advice, wise counsels From an unused root meaning to depress; abasement; Tochu, an Israelite -- Tohu. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Toach Definition an ancestor of Samuel, the same as NH8430 NASB Translation Tohu (1). Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting Tochu appears only once in Scripture, embedded in the ancestry of the prophet Samuel: “Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite” (1 Samuel 1:1). The verse sets the stage for the narrative of Samuel’s birth by rooting his family line four generations deep. Though Tochu never speaks or acts in the biblical record, the Spirit-inspired genealogy gives him a quiet but strategic role in redemptive history. Genealogical Significance 1 Samuel 1:1 and 1 Chronicles 6 interlock to form a unified pedigree for Samuel. The Chronicler records the same family under Levitical lineages (1 Chronicles 6:33–38), using the alternate spelling “Toah.” The apparent tension between “Ephraimite” and Levitical descent dissolves when we remember that Levites were allotted cities throughout Israel, including territory in Ephraim (Joshua 21:20–22). The dual record shows that Samuel was both culturally rooted in Ephraim and covenantally rooted in Levi—priestly by birth and prophetic by calling. Tochu sits at the hinge of that lineage, confirming the historical credibility of the text and anchoring Samuel’s priest–prophet identity. Historical Context The period of the Judges was characterized by tribal fragmentation and spiritual drift. By inserting Tochu’s name, Scripture traces Samuel back to an earlier, more orderly time when Levitical families were organized according to clan heads. Tochu thus represents a remnant of covenant faithfulness preserved by God despite national turmoil. His place in the list reminds readers that history is not random; every generation is tethered to God’s unfolding plan. Theological Themes 1. Continuity of Covenant: Tochu’s single mention affirms that God works through ordinary, often unnoticed individuals to maintain the covenant line. Ministry Lessons • Faithfulness across Generations: Churches today can draw encouragement from Tochu’s quiet faithfulness. Spiritual influence often flows through unnamed grandparents and mentors who uphold truth without public acclaim. Practical Applications • Family Worship: Reflect on ancestors who handed down the faith, thanking God for “Tochus” in personal histories. Further Study Compare the genealogical paths in 1 Samuel 1:1, 1 Chronicles 6:33–38, and Joshua 21:20–22. Trace how the Levitical cities in Ephraim frame the setting for Samuel’s ministry and underscore the harmony between historical narrative and priestly records. Forms and Transliterations תֹּ֥חוּ תחו tō·ḥū Tochu tōḥūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 1:1 HEB: אֱלִיה֛וּא בֶּן־ תֹּ֥חוּ בֶן־ צ֖וּף NAS: the son of Tohu, the son KJV: the son of Tohu, the son INT: of Elihu the son of Tohu the son of Zuph |
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