תּוֹר
𐤕𐤅𐤓
tôwr
H8447 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A row or line of items arranged in succession, such as a row of stones, jewels, or pearls; by extension, an order or sequence. In specific contexts, denotes a string, wreath, or necklace – especially as an ornamental arrangement. Also used for a turn or time in a prescribed sequence.
Semantic Range
row, line, string, necklace, ornamental wreath, turn (in sequence), order, succession
Root / Etymology
From the root תור (t-w-r), meaning 'to seek, search out, explore'. While the root primarily connotes 'to seek out' or 'to explore,' the derived noun refers to a result of such ordering or surveying: an arranged row, string, or sequence.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word תּוֹר occurs primarily in poetic and descriptive contexts in the Hebrew Bible (e.g. Song of Songs 1:10, describing ornaments) and in passages detailing ornamental arrays (e.g. rows of settings in the High Priest’s breastpiece, Exodus 28:17–20). Its use for 'turn' (as in Ezra 8:16) reflects the conceptual movement from a literal row or sequence of objects to an abstract 'order' or succession of events or people. English translations vary, sometimes using 'row,' 'line,' or 'turn,' but these do not always capture the ornamental or sequential nuance. The term is distinct from רֶשֶׁת (mesh/net) or חֶבֶל (cord/rope), which refer more explicitly to woven structures or binding, emphasizing instead orderly arrangement. There is no evidence of the word acquiring theological or specifically ritual connotations beyond its descriptive function. Later Hebrew uses (post-biblical) are rare and mostly derivative of the biblical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or תֹּר; from תּוּר; a succession, i.e. a string or (abstractly) order; border, row, turn.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
תור (tûwr) — to seek, to explore, to survey
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H8446 | תּוּר | the exploring ones |
| H8448 | תּוֹר | as a turn of |
| H8449 | תּוֹר | the turtledove |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8447-02 |
תֹּר֩ | tor | HNcmsc |
of | arranged row | turn | 2 |
H8447-01 |
בַּ/תֹּרִ֔ים | batorim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with rows | arranged rows | with rows | 1 |
H8447-03 |
תּוֹרֵ֤י | torey | HNcmpc |
rows of | ordered rows of | rows of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8447-01 |
Song of Songs 1:10 | בַּ/תֹּרִ֔ים | batorim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with rows | arranged rows | with rows |
H8447-03 |
Song of Songs 1:11 | תּוֹרֵ֤י | torey | HNcmpc |
rows of | ordered rows of | rows of |
H8447-02 |
Esther 2:12 | תֹּר֩ | tor | HNcmsc |
of | arranged row | turn |
H8447-02 |
Esther 2:15 | תֹּר | tor | HNcmsc |
of the turn | arranged row | turn |