טֻמְאָה (tum.ah)
tum.ah
uncleanness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 24 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tumah denotes a state of impurity or defilement that creates separation from the holy. Derived from the verb tame, it functions as the substantive form of "uncleanness," covering a wide spectrum of conditions. In the Torah, particularly Leviticus and Numbers, it primarily describes ritual states caused by physical contact with dead bodies, bodily discharges, or certain animals. This usage is not inherently moral but ceremonial, marking things that cannot enter the sanctuary until purified.
Yet the word extends beyond ritual law into ethical and sexual realms. Prophets like Ezekiel use tumah to describe idolatry and moral corruption, treating sin as a defiling substance that pollutes the land (Ezekiel 22:15; 36:17). Judges 13:7 also applies it to the Nazirite vow, linking personal consecration with avoidance of impurity. Translators often render it as "filthiness" or "uncleanness," capturing both the physical grime and the spiritual stain.
Its theological weight lies in its contagious nature. Unlike mere dirt, tumah spreads through contact, requiring specific rites to remove. This reflects a worldview where holiness demands purity, and impurity is an active force that must be managed. The word underscores the seriousness of approaching God, whether through physical cleanliness or moral integrity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tumah describes a state of uncleanness that creates separation from God’s holy presence. In ancient Israel, this was not always about moral failure but often about physical conditions like disease or contact with death. These rituals taught the people that God is pure and that approaching Him requires reverence. The system showed that sin and impurity are serious matters that disrupt our relationship with the Creator.
Yet the prophets expanded this idea to include moral corruption. Ezekiel describes idolatry as a defilement that pollutes the land, showing that ethical sins also create distance from God. This word reminds us that holiness involves both outward obedience and inward integrity. It calls us to examine our lives and seek cleansing through repentance.
For believers today, tumah points to the need for spiritual purity. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial laws, the principle remains: we must approach God with clean hearts. Jesus fulfilled the law by providing true cleansing from sin. This truth invites us to live in a way that honors His holiness, trusting in His grace to keep us pure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 24 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- uncleanness/ his4×
- uncleanness/ her4×
- uncleanness3×
- from/ [the] uncleanness<es> of2×
- and/ uncleanness/ his2×
- <in>/ [the] uncleanness of2×
- with/ uncleanness/ their1×
- uncleanness<es>/ their1×
- the/ uncleanness1×
- like/ [the] uncleanness of1×
- in/ uncleanness/ their1×
- from/ uncleanness/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- טֻמְאָת֖/וֹ2×
- טֻמְאָ֖ה2×
- וְ/טֻמְאָת֖/וֹ2×
- מִ/טֻּמְאֹת֙1×
- מִ/טֻּמְאֹ֖ת1×
- מִ/טֻּמְאָתָ֑/ם1×
- מִ/טֻּמְאָתָ֑/הּ1×
- מִ/טֻּמְאָת֑/וֹ1×
- מִ/טֻּמְאַ֥ת1×
- כְּ/טֻמְאַ֖ת1×
- טֻמְאֹתָֽ/ם\׃1×
- טֻמְאָתֽ/וֹ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 16:16
He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting that dwells with them in the middle of their uncleanness.
This verse shows the high priest making atonement for the sanctuary because of the Israelites' uncleanness, highlighting how sin creates a barrier between God and His people that requires specific ritual intervention.
-
Leviticus 15:31
“‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’”
Here the command to separate Israel from their uncleanness is given so they do not die by defiling the tabernacle, emphasizing the seriousness of maintaining purity in God's presence.
-
Lamentations 1:9
Her filthiness was in her skirts. She didn’t remember her latter end. Therefore she has come down astoundingly. She has no comforter. “See, Yahweh, my affliction; for the enemy has magnified himself.”
This verse applies tumah to Jerusalem’s moral state, describing her filthiness as being in her skirts, which illustrates how ethical sins are viewed as a tangible stain that brings shame and judgment.
-
Numbers 5:19
The priest shall cause her to take an oath and shall tell the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you haven’t gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband’s authority, be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse.
The priest tests the suspected adulteress with an oath regarding uncleanness, showing how tumah was used in legal contexts to address moral transgressions within the covenant community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tumah mean in the Bible?
Is tumah always about sin?
How is tumah different from regular dirt?
Every Occurrence (24 verses across 8 books)
Leviticus 14 verses
“‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from…
Leviticus 7:20but the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings that belongs to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on…
Leviticus 7:21When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and…
Leviticus 14:19“The priest shall offer the sin offering, and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness.…
Leviticus 15:3This shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body has stopped from…
Leviticus 15:25“‘If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her period, or if she has a discharge beyond the…
Leviticus 15:26Every bed she lies on all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her period. Everything she sits on…
Leviticus 15:30The priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make…
Leviticus 15:31“‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when…
Leviticus 16:16He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their…
Leviticus 16:19He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and make it holy from the…
Leviticus 18:19“‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.
Leviticus 22:3“Tell them, ‘If anyone of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things which the children…
Leviticus 22:5or whoever touches any creeping thing by which he may be made unclean, or a man from whom he may become unclean,…