תְּאוֹ (te.o)
te.o
antelope
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun te’o refers to a large wild animal, most commonly translated as antelope, wild ox, or oryx. Its precise identity remains uncertain, with some scholars suggesting it may describe an extinct species no longer found in the region. This ambiguity reflects the challenge of matching ancient Near Eastern fauna to modern biological categories.
In Scripture, the word appears only twice, both in poetic passages that celebrate God’s provision for wildlife. Deuteronomy 14:5 lists it among the clean animals Israel may eat, while Isaiah 13:20 uses it to depict the desolation of Babylon, where such wild creatures will inhabit ruins instead of people. These contexts highlight its status as a symbol of untamed nature and divine abundance.
Its rarity in the biblical text underscores how specialized this vocabulary was, likely known only to those familiar with the region’s diverse animal life. The word serves as a reminder of the richness of creation described in Scripture, even when specific details fade from memory over time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word te’o appears only twice in Scripture, yet it paints a vivid picture of God’s creative variety. In Deuteronomy, it is listed among the clean animals, reminding us that God provides for both human needs and wild creatures. This inclusion suggests that even untamed nature has its place in His ordered world.
Isaiah uses the image differently, comparing fainting people to an antelope caught in a net. Here, the animal’s vulnerability highlights human helplessness without divine rescue. Together, these verses show that creation reflects both God’s abundance and our dependence on Him.
When we read about such specific animals, we are invited to appreciate the richness of the world God made. It encourages us to trust in His care, whether we find ourselves in times of plenty or moments of distress.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ an antelope of1×
- and/ an antelope1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/ת֣וֹא1×
- וּ/תְא֥וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 14:5
the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the chamois.
This verse lists the te’o among clean animals, showing it was part of God’s provision for Israel's diet and symbolizing order in creation.
-
Isaiah 51:20
Your sons have fainted. They lie at the head of all the streets, like an antelope in a net. They are full of Yahweh’s wrath, the rebuke of your God.
Here the word describes a vulnerable creature caught in a net, illustrating the helplessness of Jerusalem’s people under judgment.