תּוֹעָה
𐤕𐤅𐤏𐤄
tôwʻâh
H8442 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An error, wandering, or deviation—primarily referring to a going astray from a desired path or norm. In various contexts, it can denote a mistake, delusion, false step, or straying (whether mentally, morally, or physically). When applied to individuals or groups, it can refer to moral corruption, improper behavior, or error in judgment.
Semantic Range
wandering, error, delusion, misjudgment, mental straying, moral deviation, falsehood, misleadership
Root / Etymology
From the root תעה (to wander, go astray, err). תּוֹעָה is a noun form, specifically a feminine formation, referring to the state or result of wandering or erring.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term תּוֹעָה is rare in the Hebrew Bible, typically used to describe the state or result of going astray, particularly in the sense of making an error or being misled, whether mentally, religiously, or ethically. It is not primarily a theological term but can acquire such dimensions when describing religious or moral deviation. English translations often render it as 'error,' 'wandering,' or 'delusion,' each capturing different nuances depending on context. It is to be distinguished from שְׁגָגָה (shegagah), which more narrowly focuses on unintentional sin or inadvertent offense, and עָוֹן (avon), which means iniquity or guilt from a more intentional act. In post-biblical Hebrew and later Jewish tradition, terms derived from תעה continue to reference straying from correct practice or belief, but the contextual nuance can broaden or narrow. In biblical usage, תּוֹעָה does not imply later religious identity concepts and should be understood within the context of Israelite or Judahite society as appropriate to the time period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine active participle of תָּעָה; mistake, i.e. (morally) impiety, or (political) injury; error, hinder.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תעה (t-ʿ-h) — to wander, go astray, err
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8376 | תָּאָה | you will cause to wander |
| H8582 | תָּעָה | in wandering |
| H8583 | תֹּעוּ | Toi |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8442-01 |
תּוֹעָ֔ה | toah | HNcfsa |
a mockery | wandering error | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8442-01 |
Isaiah 32:6 | תּוֹעָ֔ה | toah | HNcfsa |
error | wandering error |
H8442-01 |
Nehemiah 4:2 | תּוֹעָֽה | toah | HNcfsa |
a mockery | wandering error |