טְהוֹר
𐤈𐤄𐤅𐤓
ṭᵉhôwr
H2890 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Clean or pure as defined by ritual, moral, or physical standards; describing that which is free from impurity, contamination, or ceremonial defilement according to Israelite ritual law. In certain contexts, also denotes being morally upright or without guilt; by extension, can refer to objects, persons, animals, or substances qualified for use in ritual contexts, especially sacrifices or acts of worship.
Semantic Range
ritually clean, ceremonially pure, morally pure, fit for sacrifice, suitable for worship, free from contamination, free from sin (in certain contexts), restored to community after purification, qualified for full participation in communal or sanctuary life
Root / Etymology
From the root טהר (ṭ-h-r), which primarily means 'to be clean, pure,' especially in the context of ritual or moral purity. טְהוֹר is the adjective form, denoting the state or quality of being ritually clean or pure.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Israelite context, טְהוֹר is principally used to indicate a state of ritual purity, particularly as defined in Levitical law—what is suitable for participation in cultic activities or sacrificial rites. It may describe animals fit for sacrifice (Lev 11), individuals restored to community after purification rites, or items (such as clothing, vessels) rendered suitable through purification. While later tradition and translations, especially post-exilic and Second Temple texts, may nuance the term toward broader (including moral) purity, its earliest uses are primarily ritual. The antonym is טָמֵא (ṭāmēʼ, 'unclean'), which designates exclusion from cultic or communal life due to impurity. Standard English translations often render the term as 'clean' or 'pure,' but this sometimes inadequately reflects the specific legal or cultic implications in the Hebrew context. The term persists in post-biblical Hebrew and Jewish legal terminology, still denoting fitness for religious participation. In later translation traditions (LXX, Vulgate), the term is sometimes generalized to 'pure' or 'righteous,' contributing to theological readings not always present in the biblical text itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from טָהֵר; purity; pureness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
טהר (ṭ-h-r) — to be clean, to be pure, to be free from impurity
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2889 | טָהוֹר | in the pure one |
| H2891 | טָהֵר | I will purify |
| H2892 | טֹהַר | for purity |
| H2893 | טׇהֳרָה | in his ritual purity |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2890-01 |
טְה֤וֹר | tehor | HAamsc |
pure | ritually pure | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2890-01 |
Habakkuk 1:13 | טְה֤וֹר | tehor | HAamsc |
pure | ritually pure |