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תַּאֲוָה

𐤕𐤀𐤅𐤄

taʼăvâh

H8378 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A strong longing or craving, especially for something desirable, pleasurable, or forbidden; in some contexts, an intense appetite or lust, whether for food, objects, or experiences. May carry neutral, positive, or negative connotations depending on context; typically implies a deep inward desire, sometimes uncontrolled or excessive. Frequently used of physical appetites or desires, but can refer to any strong yearning.

Semantic Range

craving, intense desire, lust, appetite, greed, longing, object of longing, pleasant thing, dainty, delight

Root / Etymology

From the root אָוָה (אוה), meaning 'to long for, desire, crave.' The noun תַּאֲוָה is a feminine form derived from this verbal root, specifically denoting the state or object of longing or strong desire (i.e., 'desirable thing' or 'longing').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, תַּאֲוָה most commonly appears in reference to an intense craving or desire that often carries negative moral connotations—such as the Israelites' insatiable desire for meat in the wilderness (Numbers 11:4, 34; referred to at Kibroth-hattaavah, 'the graves of craving'). However, the term can be neutral or even positive (e.g., Proverbs 13:19, 'A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul'), depending on context. The word stands in contrast to more moderate terms for want or wish (e.g., חֵפֶץ, רצון), highlighting excess or intensity. In later periods and Rabbinic Hebrew, תַּאֲוָה retains these connotations of inward lust or appetite, often with implications of moral warning against unrestrained indulgence. Typical English translations like 'lust,' 'strong desire,' or 'craving' capture some aspects, but the specific nuance varies by passage. The word is not limited to sexual desire; it can refer to intense appetites of many sorts. Greek translation (LXX) often uses ἐπιθυμία (epithymia) for this term. See Numbers 11:4, 34 for the place-name 'Kibroth-hattaavah' ('graves of craving'), illustrating the strong pejorative association.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָוָה (abbreviated); a longing; by implication, a delight (subjectively, satisfaction, objectively, a charm); dainty, desire, [idiom] exceedingly, [idiom] greedily, lust(ing), pleasant. See also קִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

אוה (Evi) — to desire, to long, to wish

Root אוה to desire, to crave, to long for
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H183 אָוָה the ones craving
H184 אָוָה you have craved
H185 אַוָּה craving of
H188 אוֹי Woe!
H189 אֱוִי Evi

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8378-04 תַּאֲוַת taavat HNcfsc desire craving of craving of 8
H8378-03 תַֽאֲוָה taavah HNcfsa desire intense longing intense longing 7
H8378-01 לְֽ֭/תַאֲוָה letaavah HR/Ncfsa through desire for a craving for a craving 1
H8378-02 מִ/תַּאֲוָתָ֑/ם mitaavatam HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp from-their-craving from their craving from their craving 1
H8378-05 תַּאֲוָתִ֑/י taavati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my longing my craving my craving 1
H8378-06 תְּאַוֶּ֖ה teaveh HVpi3fs desires she intensely craves she intensely craves 1
H8378-07 וְ/תַאֲוַ֖ת vetaavat HC/Ncfsc and desire craving of and desire of 1
H8378-08 וְ֝/תַֽאֲוָתָ֗/ם vetaavatam HC/Ncfsc/Sp3mp their desire their craving their craving 1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8378-03 Genesis 3:6 תַֽאֲוָה taavah HNcfsa desirable intense longing desirable
H8378-03 Numbers 11:4 תַּאֲוָ֑ה taavah HNcfsa a craving intense longing an intense longing
H8378-06 1 Samuel 2:16 תְּאַוֶּ֖ה teaveh HVpi3fs desires she intensely craves she intensely craves
H8378-04 Isaiah 26:8 תַּאֲוַת taavat HNcfsc the desire craving of desire of
H8378-04 Psalms 10:3 תַּאֲוַ֣ת taavat HNcfsc desire craving of craving of
H8378-04 Psalms 10:17 תַּאֲוַ֬ת taavat HNcfsc desire craving of craving of
H8378-04 Psalms 21:3 תַּאֲוַ֣ת taavat HNcfsc desire craving of desire of
H8378-05 Psalms 38:10 תַּאֲוָתִ֑/י taavati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my longing my craving my craving
H8378-08 Psalms 78:29 וְ֝/תַֽאֲוָתָ֗/ם vetaavatam HC/Ncfsc/Sp3mp their desire their craving their craving
H8378-02 Psalms 78:30 מִ/תַּאֲוָתָ֑/ם mitaavatam HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp from-their-craving from their craving from their craving
H8378-03 Psalms 106:14 תַ֭אֲוָה taavah HNcfsa intensely intense longing intense longing
H8378-04 Psalms 112:10 תַּאֲוַ֖ת taavat HNcfsc the desire craving of craving of
H8378-07 Proverbs 10:24 וְ/תַאֲוַ֖ת vetaavat HC/Ncfsc and desire craving of and desire of
H8378-04 Proverbs 11:23 תַּאֲוַ֣ת taavat HNcfsc desire craving of craving of
H8378-03 Proverbs 13:12 תַּאֲוָ֥ה taavah HNcfsa desire intense longing intense longing
H8378-03 Proverbs 13:19 תַּאֲוָ֣ה taavah HNcfsa desire intense longing intense longing
H8378-01 Proverbs 18:1 לְֽ֭/תַאֲוָה letaavah HR/Ncfsa through desire for a craving for a craving
H8378-04 Proverbs 19:22 תַּאֲוַ֣ת taavat HNcfsc desire craving of craving of
H8378-04 Proverbs 21:25 תַּאֲוַ֣ת taavat HNcfsc desire craving of craving of
H8378-03 Proverbs 21:26 תַאֲוָ֑ה taavah HNcfsa greedily intense longing intense longing
H8378-03 Job 33:20 תַּאֲוָֽה taavah HNcfsa desire intense longing intense longing
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