Definition and Significance
Tau is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet, corresponding to the letter "T" in the English alphabet. In biblical contexts, the letter tau holds symbolic significance, particularly in the Hebrew tradition, where it is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Hebrew, it is written as "ת" and is often associated with themes of completion and fulfillment.

Biblical References and Symbolism
While the letter tau itself is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its symbolic use is evident in various scriptural contexts. In the Hebrew Bible, the letter tau is significant in the book of Ezekiel. In Ezekiel 9:4, the Lord instructs a man clothed in linen to "put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations committed in it." The mark, traditionally understood as a tau, served as a sign of protection for the righteous in Jerusalem. This passage highlights the tau as a symbol of divine protection and distinction between the righteous and the wicked.

Theological Implications
The use of tau as a mark of protection in Ezekiel has been interpreted by some Christian theologians as a foreshadowing of the cross of Christ. The shape of the tau resembles a cross, and early Christian writers, such as Tertullian, saw in this mark a prefiguration of the crucifixion, where the ultimate act of divine protection and salvation was accomplished through Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context
In ancient cultures, the act of marking or sealing was a common practice to denote ownership, protection, or authenticity. The use of the tau in Ezekiel aligns with this cultural understanding, serving as a divine seal upon those who were to be spared from judgment. This practice is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are described as being sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), signifying God's ownership and protection.

Applications in Christian Thought
The concept of the tau as a mark of protection and salvation continues to resonate in Christian thought. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to preserve His people amidst judgment and tribulation. The tau's association with the cross further enriches its symbolism, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion
The letter tau, while not explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, carries rich symbolic meaning within the biblical narrative. Its use in Ezekiel as a mark of protection and its perceived connection to the cross underscore its theological significance. As a symbol of completion, protection, and salvation, the tau continues to hold a place of importance in Christian symbolism and thought.(n.) The common American toadfish; -- so called from a marking resembling the Greek letter tau (/).

Tau.
... St. Augustin on the Psalms. Tau. 166. Let us now hear the words of one praying:
since we know who is praying, and we recognise ourselves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/tau.htm

Psalm 119 Tau, the 22Nd Part.
... Psalm 119 Tau, The 22nd Part. 8,6,8,6. ^169O let my earnest pray'r and cry. come
near before thee, Lord: Give understanding unto me,. according to thy word. ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 119 tau the 22nd.htm

Defective Learning.
... tau omicron upsilon w/tonos tau omicron), refers either to the preceding being
saved,' or to faith.' To the former it can not refer, St. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix defective learning.htm

"My Word Will not Pass Away"
... GREEK SMALL LETTER ETA WITH PERISPOMENI}, {GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH PSILI}{GREEK
SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL ...
/.../my word will not pass.htm

Appendix (E). Text of the Concluding Scholion of victor of ...
... SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER
ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH VARIA} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL ...
/.../appendix e text of the.htm

Division of Actual Grace
... OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON WITH PSILI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI} {GREEK SMALL
LETTER OMICRON WITH DASIA AND OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 division of actual.htm

Notanda.
... LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL
LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU} {GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL ...
//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/notanda.htm

Appendix (F). On the Relative Antiquity of the Codex Vaticanus (B) ...
... GREEK CAPITAL LETTER LAMDA}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER
UPSILON}{GREEK CAPITAL LETTER SIGMA} {GREEK CAPITAL LETTER TAU}{GREEK CAPITAL ...
/.../appendix f on the relative.htm

The Purport of Ancient Scholia, and Notes in Mss. On the Subject ...
... GREEK SMALL LETTER BETA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMICRON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON
WITH PERISPOMENI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER NU}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL ...
/.../chapter viii the purport of.htm

Appendix (H). On the Interpolation of the Text of Codex B and ...
... LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}] {GREEK SMALL LETTER
ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER UPSILON}{GREEK SMALL LETTER TAU}{GREEK SMALL ...
/.../appendix h on the interpolation.htm

Tau (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The common American toadfish; -- so called from a
marking resembling the Greek letter tau (/). ...Tau (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/tau.htm - 6k

Tattoo (1 Occurrence)

/t/tattoo.htm - 7k

Taw (1 Occurrence)
... TAW. tau ("t", "th"): The 22nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in
this Encyclopedia with the daghesh as "t", and as "th" without. ...
/t/taw.htm - 7k

Taught (134 Occurrences)

/t/taught.htm - 36k

Text (5 Occurrences)
... capital eta for capital sigma; capital omicron for capital theta; capital alpha
for capital lambda or capital delta; capital pi (P) for capital tau and capital ...
/t/text.htm - 73k

Manuscripts
... capital eta for capital sigma; capital omicron for capital theta; capital alpha
for capital lambda or capital delta; capital pi (P) for capital tau and capital ...
/m/manuscripts.htm - 39k

Malefactor (2 Occurrences)
... capital eta for capital sigma; capital omicron for capital theta; capital alpha
for capital lambda or capital delta; capital pi (P) for capital tau and capital ...
/m/malefactor.htm - 49k

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)

/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

Tau: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus