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תָּעָה

𐤕𐤏𐤄

tâʻâh

H8582 verb

SILEX Entry

Root תעה to wander, to go astray, to err

Definition

To stray, wander, or go astray from a path, way, or standard; in extended use, to err in judgment, thought, or conduct. The verb can refer to literal wandering (as in moving aimlessly or losing one's way geographically) or to figurative deviation from what is considered right or true (ethically, spiritually, or intellectually).

Semantic Range

to stray physically (lose way, wander aimlessly), to err (make a mistake or deviate from a standard), to be misled or to mislead others, to stagger (as from intoxication or confusion), to wander mentally or spiritually, to seduce or entice astray, to falsify or deceive

Root / Etymology

Root: תעה. The root fundamentally means 'to wander' or 'go astray.' From this basic verbal idea derive various forms that denote straying from a course—spatially, metaphorically, or behaviorally.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In geographical contexts (e.g., wilderness wanderings), תָּעָה refers to being lost or moving without direction, particularly in desert or wilderness settings. In figurative contexts, it describes moral, spiritual, or intellectual error—straying from ethical norms or divine law. Prophetic literature often uses the root to characterize the Israelites' deviation from covenantal precepts or proper worship (see Isaiah 53:6: 'All we like sheep have gone astray'). Wisdom literature may use it for mental or moral confusion or error (e.g., Proverbs 10:17). In priestly and legal passages, it can describe ritual or judicial mistakes. Later biblical books employ it in polemical contexts to denote misleading others or self-deception. English translations such as 'go astray,' 'err,' 'wander,' and 'stagger' capture core aspects but may not differentiate between physical, moral, or religious deviations. Hebrew has related roots for deviation (e.g., שׁגה, שׂגה), but תעה often stresses the absence of clear direction. The root is a key element in theological reflection on waywardness within the biblical tradition.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both; (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

תעה (t-ʿ-h) — to wander, to go astray, to err

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8376 תָּאָה you will cause to wander
H8442 תּוֹעָה wandering error
H8583 תֹּעוּ Toi

Word Forms

27 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8582-17 תָּ֣עוּ tau HVqp3cp stagger they went astray 9
H8582-22 וַ/יַּתְעֵ֤/ם vayateem HC/Vhw3ms/Sp3mp and he led them and he caused them to stray 4
H8582-27 יִתְעֽוּ yiteu HVqi3mp go astray they will wander astray 4
H8582-01 בִּ/תְע֤וֹת biteot HR/Vqc in-going-astray in wandering 3
H8582-19 תֹעֶ֖ה toeh HVqrmsa going astray wandering one 3
H8582-10 מַתְעִ֔ים mateim HVhrmpa leading astray those causing to wander 2
H8582-05 הִתְע֣וּ hiteu HVhp3cp caused me to wander they led astray 2
H8582-14 תָעִֽיתִי taiti HVqp1cs have I strayed I have gone astray 2
H8582-09 מַתְעֶ֔ה mateeh HVhrmsa causing-to-err one who leads astray 2
H8582-23 וַ/יַּתְע֥וּ vayateu HC/Vhw3mp and lead astray and they caused to wander 2

Occurrences in Scripture

51 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8582-05 Genesis 20:13 הִתְע֣וּ hiteu HVhp3cp caused me to wander they led astray
H8582-21 Genesis 21:14 וַ/תֵּ֔תַע vateta HC/Vqw3fs and wandered and she went astray
H8582-19 Genesis 37:15 תֹעֶ֖ה toeh HVqrmsa he was wandering wandering one
H8582-19 Exodus 23:4 תֹּעֶ֑ה toeh HVqrmsa going astray wandering one
H8582-22 2 Kings 21:9 וַ/יַּתְעֵ֤/ם vayateem HC/Vhw3ms/Sp3mp and he led them and he caused them to stray
H8582-10 Isaiah 3:12 מַתְעִ֔ים mateim HVhrmpa mislead those causing to wander
H8582-10 Isaiah 9:15 מַתְעִ֑ים mateim HVhrmpa leading astray those causing to wander
H8582-17 Isaiah 16:8 תָּ֣עוּ tau HVqp3cp wandered they went astray
H8582-05 Isaiah 19:13 הִתְע֥וּ hiteu HVhp3cp have led astray they led astray
H8582-26 Isaiah 19:14 וְ/הִתְע֤וּ vehiteu HC/Vhq3cp and-they-have-err and they led astray
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