Lexical Summary bohen: Thumb, Big Toe Original Word: בֹּהֶן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance thumb, great toe From an unused root apparently meaning to be thick; the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot -- thumb, great toe. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition thumb, great toe NASB Translation big toe (6), big toes (1), thumb (6), thumbs (1), thumbs and their big (1), thumbs and big (1), toes* (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֹּ֫הֶן noun [feminine] (compare Sta§ 310 c) with יַד thumb, with רֶגֶל great toe (Arabic  , & (vulgar)  ,  ) — ׳בּ only construct Exodus 29:20 (twice in verse) + 12t.; plural construct בְּהֹנוֺת Judges 1:6,7 (from singular [בְּהוֺן] as always Manuscript ⅏ for ᵑ0 בֹּהֶן); — thumb (יָדָם) יָדוֺ ׳בּ, & great toe (דַגְלָם) רַגְלוֺ ׳בּ (always named together) Exodus 29:20 (twice in verse); Leviticus 8:23 (twice in verse); Leviticus 8:24 (twice in verse); Leviticus 14:14 (twice in verse); Leviticus 14:17 (twice in verse); Leviticus 14:25 (twice in verse); Leviticus 14:28 (twice in verse); ׳וְר ׳בְּהֹנוֺת י Judges 1:6,7. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope of Usage The Hebrew noun בֹּהֶן refers to the prominent digit of either hand or foot—the thumb or the big toe. Sixteen occurrences are confined to four narrative or ritual contexts, all of which highlight the thumb or big toe as a symbolic point of contact between human agency and divine purpose. Priestly Consecration (Exodus 29:20; Leviticus 8:23–24) At the inaugural ordination of Aaron and his sons, the blood of the ram of consecration was applied to three right-side extremities: ear, thumb, and big toe. “Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood and put it on the right earlobe of Aaron and his sons, on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot” (Exodus 29:20). 1. Ear: the priest must hear the word of the LORD. The ritual emphasized total consecration. Right-side placement underscored strength and honor (Psalm 110:1). The thumb, essential for grip, represents capability; the big toe, essential for balance, represents stability. Blood on these digits testified that every aspect of priestly life derived its legitimacy from atonement. Ritual Cleansing of the Leper (Leviticus 14:14–28) Following sacrifice, the blood of the guilt offering—and subsequently the anointing oil—was placed on the former leper’s right ear, thumb, and big toe. “The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the right earlobe of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot” (Leviticus 14:14). The sequence (blood then oil) shows that cleansing precedes empowerment. The restored Israelite was publicly acknowledged as reintegrated for hearing, doing, and walking among God’s covenant people. In a wider redemptive framework, the ceremony foreshadows the believer’s cleansing by Christ’s blood and anointing by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5–6). Judicial Retribution (Judges 1:6–7) Adoni-Bezek, a Canaanite ruler who had mutilated seventy captured kings, was himself captured by Judah and Simeon: “They pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes” (Judges 1:6). Without thumbs or big toes he could neither wield a weapon nor stand firmly in battle, symbolizing utter disempowerment. Adoni-Bezek confessed divine justice: “As I have done, so God has repaid me” (Judges 1:7). The passage illustrates lex talionis and God’s sovereignty in history. Symbolic and Theological Themes 1. Wholeness of Devotion: Ear, thumb, and toe together signify hearing, doing, and walking—comprehensive covenant obedience (Deuteronomy 10:12). Christological Foreshadows The blood-marked digits anticipate the all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose pierced hands and feet secured eternal redemption (John 20:27; Hebrews 10:10). As the great High Priest, He perfectly hears, acts, and walks in obedience, enabling believers to become “a kingdom and priests to serve our God” (Revelation 5:10). Practical Ministry Reflection Believers today, called “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1), must submit their hearing, work, and walk to the Lord. Ministry that begins with atonement and continues in Spirit-empowered service will stand firm, whereas self-reliant efforts, like the mutilated Adoni-Bezek, ultimately falter. Related Concepts Consecration, atonement, anointing oil, priesthood, ritual purity, restitution, divine justice, sanctuary service, sanctification, obedience of faith. Forms and Transliterations בְּֽהֹנוֹת֩ בְּהֹנ֥וֹת בֹּ֤הֶן בֹּ֥הֶן בהן בהנות bə·hō·nō·wṯ behoNot bəhōnōwṯ bō·hen Bohen bōhenLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:20 HEB: הַיְמָנִ֔ית וְעַל־ בֹּ֤הֶן יָדָם֙ הַיְמָנִ֔ית NAS: ears and on the thumbs of their right KJV: of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right INT: right and on the thumbs hands of their right Exodus 29:20 Leviticus 8:23 Leviticus 8:23 Leviticus 8:24 Leviticus 8:24 Leviticus 14:14 Leviticus 14:14 Leviticus 14:17 Leviticus 14:17 Leviticus 14:25 Leviticus 14:25 Leviticus 14:28 Leviticus 14:28 Judges 1:6 Judges 1:7 16 Occurrences |
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