תְּאוֹ
𐤕𐤀𐤅
tᵉʼôw
H8377 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A species of large wild animal, likely a type of antelope or possibly a wild ox, known for its distinctive features, such as notable facial markings. The term designates an undomesticated, herd-dwelling, hoofed animal native to the Levantine wilderness, often contrasted with domesticated cattle and used to represent the untamed fauna of Israelite territory.
Semantic Range
wild antelope, desert-dwelling herd animal, wild ox, large undomesticated hoofed animal
Root / Etymology
From the root תָּאָה (to wander, go astray), the form תְּאוֹ is likely a derived noun referring to an animal that roams or wanders, paralleling terms for other undomesticated fauna. The original meaning relates to movement or straying from a fixed place, applied metaphorically to animals known for their wild, free-ranging behavior. The exact zoological identification (antelope vs. wild ox) is uncertain and debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical contexts, תְּאוֹ appears in listings of animals native to the wilderness (e.g., Deuteronomy 14:5; Isaiah 51:20), often paired with other wild animals. The term is rare, and its precise zoological identification has been debated among scholars; many associate it with a type of wild antelope known in the ancient Near East, such as the oryx or addax, while others have proposed a wild bovine. The reference to facial striping links it with certain antelope species. English translations often gloss the term as 'wild ox' or 'antelope,' but neither fully captures the nuance of an undomesticated, fleet-footed, desert-dwelling animal. The word falls within a cluster of biblical fauna terminology (e.g., ראם, יַחְמוּר) where overlap and ambiguity exist due to changes in regional fauna and shifting taxonomies over time. In later Jewish tradition, attempts were made to identify the animal based on zoological knowledge of the time, leading to further variation in translation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
and תּוֹא; (the original form), from תָּאָה; a species of antelope (probably from the white stripe on the cheek); wild bull (ox).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תאה (t-ʾ-h) — to wander, roam, go astray
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8377-02 |
וּ/תְא֥וֹ | uteo | HC/Ncmsa |
and antelope | roaming wild-ox | 1 |
H8377-01 |
כְּ/ת֣וֹא | keto | HR/Ncmsc |
like a wild-ox | like a roaming wild-ox | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8377-02 |
Deuteronomy 14:5 | וּ/תְא֥וֹ | uteo | HC/Ncmsa |
and antelope | roaming wild-ox |
H8377-01 |
Isaiah 51:20 | כְּ/ת֣וֹא | keto | HR/Ncmsc |
like a wild-ox | like a roaming wild-ox |