טָהוֹר (ta.hor)
ta.hor
pure
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 79 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective tahor describes something that is pure, clean, or unblemished. Its meaning shifts depending on context, covering physical cleanliness, ritual suitability, and moral integrity. In the wilderness narratives, it frequently distinguishes acceptable animals from those forbidden for food (Genesis 7:2), establishing a boundary between what is set apart and what is common.
A notable usage appears in the instructions for the Tabernacle, where the ark and its furnishings must be made of "pure" gold (Exodus 25:11). Here, the word signifies material purity, free from alloy or impurity. This concrete standard mirrors its moral application, as seen in Psalm 51:10, where David prays for a "clean heart," suggesting that inner righteousness requires the same absence of corruption as sacred materials.
Derived from the verb to purify, tahor functions as the positive state of being cleansed. It is not merely the absence of dirt but a status of wholeness and fitness for holy use. The term bridges the physical and spiritual realms, showing that ritual laws regarding cleanliness were designed to teach a deeper reality about moral and spiritual integrity before God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tahor describes a state of wholeness and fitness for holy use. It bridges the physical and spiritual realms by showing that ritual laws regarding cleanliness were designed to teach a deeper reality about moral integrity before God. This concept reminds us that purity is not merely the absence of dirt but a status of being set apart.
In the wilderness narratives, this term distinguishes acceptable animals from those forbidden for food. It establishes a boundary between what is common and what is sacred. The instructions for the Tabernacle require materials like gold to be pure, free from alloy or impurity. This concrete standard mirrors the moral application seen in Psalm 51:10, where David prays for a clean heart.
Inner righteousness requires the same absence of corruption as sacred materials. You can find comfort in knowing that God desires wholeness in your life. This word invites you to seek integrity in your daily walk, trusting that He provides the grace needed to live a life that honors Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 79 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pure35×
- clean9×
- [is] pure8×
- <the>/ clean6×
- <the>/ pure5×
- and/ the/ clean3×
- the/ pure [thing]2×
- clean [person]2×
- [is] clean2×
- the/ clean [thing]1×
- the/ clean [person]1×
- pure of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- טָה֑וֹר13×
- טָה֖וֹר9×
- טָהֽוֹר\׃8×
- טָה֥וֹר8×
- טָה֔וֹר4×
- טָה֗וֹר3×
- טָה֣וֹר2×
- וְ/הַ/טָּהוֹר֙2×
- הַ/טָּהֹ֑ר2×
- הַ/טְּהוֹרָ֗ה2×
- לַ/טָּהֹ֑ר1×
- טָהוֹר֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 7:2
You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female.
This verse establishes the foundational boundary between clean and unclean animals, showing how tahor sets apart what is suitable for holy use.
-
Exodus 25:11
You shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and outside, and you shall make a gold molding around it.
The command to overlay the ark with pure gold illustrates that material purity must be free from alloy or impurity to be fit for God's presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tahor mean in the Bible?
How is tahor different from other words for clean?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (79 verses across 15 books)
Genesis 3 verses
You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean,…
Genesis 7:8Clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground
Genesis 8:20Noah built an altar to Yahweh, and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on…