תַּאֲוָה (ta.a.vah)
ta.a.vah
desire
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 18 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ta’awah refers to a strong desire or longing of the heart. It covers a wide range of intensity, from simple appetite to deep covetousness. The word can describe the object itself—the thing desired—or the internal feeling of wanting it.
Its meaning shifts with context. In some passages, it carries a neutral sense of wish or appetite. In others, particularly in Proverbs and Numbers, it takes on a negative tone, pointing to lust or greedy craving that leads to trouble. For example, Proverbs 6:25 warns against the desire for an adulterous woman, while Numbers 11 describes the people’s intense craving for meat in the wilderness.
Translators often render ta’awah as "desire," "lust," or "covetousness" depending on whether the context emphasizes a natural appetite or a sinful greed. This flexibility shows how the Bible treats human longing, acknowledging both its neutrality and its potential to become destructive when unchecked.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ta’awah describes a deep longing or craving within the human heart. It is not inherently good or bad, but rather a powerful force that reflects what we value most. When our desires align with God’s will, they become sources of joy and fulfillment. Psalm 106:14 reminds us that unchecked cravings in the wilderness led to testing God, showing how easily longing can turn into trouble.
Yet this same word also captures the holy yearning found in Psalm 26:8, where believers wait for Yahweh and find their soul’s deepest desire rooted in His name. This shift from selfish greed to divine connection invites us to examine what we truly seek. Are our hearts fixed on temporary pleasures or eternal truths?
Reflecting on ta’awah encourages honesty about our inner lives. It asks whether our cravings draw us closer to God or pull us away. By aligning our desires with His purposes, we discover peace and purpose that endure beyond fleeting moments.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] desire of6×
- a craving3×
- a desire2×
- from/ desire/ their1×
- desire1×
- and/ desire/ their1×
- and/ [the] desire of1×
- [was] a delight1×
- [is the] desire of1×
- <to>/ desire1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּאֲוַ֣ת4×
- תַּאֲוָֽה\׃1×
- תַּאֲוָ֥ה1×
- תַּאֲוָ֣ה1×
- תַּאֲוָ֑ה1×
- תַּאֲוַת\־1×
- תַּאֲוַ֬ת1×
- תַּאֲוַ֖ת1×
- תַאֲוָ֑ה1×
- תַֽאֲוָה\־1×
- תַ֭אֲוָה1×
- מִ/תַּאֲוָתָ֑/ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too.
This verse shows how desire can lead to disobedience when it overrides trust in God's command.
-
Psalms 106:14
but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in the wasteland.
Here, ta’awah illustrates the destructive power of unchecked craving during Israel’s wilderness journey.
-
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
The passage contrasts deferred hope with fulfilled desire, showing how patience shapes our emotional well-being.