טָמָה
ta.mah
to defile
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the Hebrew word טָמָה (ta.mah), the lemma suggests it means "to defile." This action is associated with sin and righteousness, indicating that the word is connected to moral concepts. The single occurrence of this word in the Bible might suggest it is a unique or rare term in the Hebrew language. Considering the short definition, "to defile," it implies the removal or loss of something pure or clean. The semantic domain of sin and righteousness implies that the concept of defilement is linked to moral actions or states, rather than material or environmental contexts. This analysis suggests that the word has a strong moral connotation, implying a loss of spiritual purity. Given its unique occurrence in the Bible, the significance of the word "to defile" lies in its singular appearance, which may emphasize its importance or uniqueness in the context in which it is used. Without further information about its context, it's challenging to fully grasp its implications, but it's clear that "to defile" is connected to the broader themes of morality and spiritual integrity in the Hebrew Bible.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text