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תּוֹלָע

𐤕𐤅𐤋𐤏

Tola

H8439 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

(1) Worm, particularly a type of crimson-dye producing larva (likely Kermes vermilio), employed particularly in contexts relating to cloth dyeing or the natural world; (2) Tola, a personal name of at least two individuals in Israelite genealogies and historical narratives.

Semantic Range

larva/insect (especially crimson-dye worm); symbol of insignificance or mortality; personal name (Tola)

Root / Etymology

Root תּוֹלַע (t-w-l-ʿ), apparently referring to a type of worm, especially one used to produce red dye. The noun is a direct derivative of the root meaning 'worm.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

(1) As a common noun, תּוֹלָע is closely associated with the 'crimson worm' used in making scarlet dye, a luxury or sacred substance in antiquity (cf. Exod 16:20, Job 25:6), and is frequently found together with שָׁנִי ('scarlet') as תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי. Not all occurrences refer specifically to the dye insect, but to worms generally. Some English translations have rendered this as 'worm,' 'crimson worm,' or, in symbolic contexts, as a metaphor for lowliness or mortal frailty (e.g., Ps 22:7 [Eng 22:6]). (2) As a personal name, תּוֹלָע appears for an ancestor of a clan of Issachar (Gen 46:13, Num 26:23, 1 Chr 7:1–2) and for a judge/leader of Israel from the tribe of Issachar (Judg 10:1). The choice of this name may reflect a common practice of naming after animals/creatures or may have symbolic value now obscure. Later Jewish and Christian usage sometimes equates 'worm' with humility or mortality, but this is not explicit in biblical texts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as תּוֹלָע; worm; Tola, the name of two Israelites; Tola.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

תולע (t-w-l-ʿ) — worm, larva, to be a worm

Root תולע worm, to be a worm
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8438 תּוֹלָע in crimson-worm of
H8440 תּוֹלָעִי the Tolaite
H8529 תָּלַע crimson-dyed ones

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H8439-02 תּוֹלָ֥ע tola HNp Tola Worm Tola 5
H8439-01 לְ/תוֹלָ֔ע letola HR/Np of Tola to Tola to Tola 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H8439-02 Genesis 46:13 תּוֹלָ֥ע tola HNp Tola Worm Tola
H8439-02 Numbers 26:23 תּוֹלָ֕ע tola HNp Tola Worm Tola
H8439-02 Judges 10:1 תּוֹלָ֧ע tola HNp Tola Worm Tola
H8439-02 1 Chronicles 7:1 תּוֹלָ֧ע tola HNp Tola Worm Tola
H8439-02 1 Chronicles 7:2 תוֹלָ֗ע tola HNp Tola Worm Tola
H8439-01 1 Chronicles 7:2 לְ/תוֹלָ֔ע letola HR/Np of Tola to Tola to Tola
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