תָּאַר
ta.ar
to border
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Biblical Analysis of תָּאַר (ta.ar) The Hebrew word תָּאַר (ta.ar) carries the primary meaning "to border," indicating a function related to boundaries or edges. With only six occurrences in the biblical text, this is a relatively rare verb. Its limited frequency suggests it was used for specific contexts where the delineation of boundaries or the formation of borders required particular expression in biblical Hebrew. The verb's fundamental semantic field connects to spatial definition and demarcation. To "border" something implies establishing or marking the perimeter or edge of an area, object, or region. This makes the word functionally important for descriptive passages where precise spatial relationships needed to be communicated—whether describing territorial limits, architectural features, or physical boundaries of sacred spaces. Given its six biblical appearances and narrow definitional range, תָּאַר represents a specialized vocabulary item rather than a common or foundational Hebrew concept. Its presence in the biblical lexicon indicates that ancient Hebrew writers possessed distinct terminology for boundary-marking when general or more frequent verbs would not have captured the specific meaning required.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences across the text
and the border went out to the side of Ekron northward; and the border extended to Shikkeron, and passed along to Mount Baalah, and went out at Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
Joshua 15:9The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (also called Kiriath Jearim);
Joshua 15:9The border extended from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of Mount Ephron; and the border extended to Baalah (also called Kiriath Jearim);
Joshua 18:14The border extended, and turned around on the west quarter southward, from the mountain that lies before Beth Horon southward; and ended at Kiriath Baal (also called Kiriath Jearim), a city of the children of Judah. This was the west quarter.
Joshua 18:17It extended northward, went out at En Shemesh, and went out to Geliloth, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim. It went down to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
Joshua 19:13From there it passed along eastward to Gath Hepher, to Ethkazin; and it went out at Rimmon which stretches to Neah.