תְּבַלֻּל (te.bal.lul)
te.bal.lul
defect
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun teballul describes a state of obscurity or confusion, specifically referring to a physical defect in vision. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Leviticus 21:20, where it is listed among the blemishes that disqualify a male descendant of Aaron from offering bread to God.
Its meaning centers on impaired sight or visual disturbance rather than moral failing. In this legal context, the word highlights how physical wholeness was tied to ritual eligibility, marking a specific type of bodily imperfection that prevented participation in the sanctuary’s service.
This rare term underscores the ancient Israelite concern for physical integrity in worship settings. By naming teballul alongside other defects, the law distinguished between conditions that affected one’s ability to serve and those that did not, reflecting a broader pattern where visible perfection was required for priestly duties.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word teballul appears only once in Scripture, describing a specific visual impairment that disqualified Aaron’s descendants from priestly service in Leviticus 21:20. This rare term reminds us that ancient worship laws focused on physical wholeness as a symbol of ritual purity. While the text lists this defect among others, it does not suggest the person was morally flawed or spiritually inferior.
For modern readers, this passage invites reflection on how God values every individual regardless of physical condition. The restriction applied only to Aaron’s male line and their specific duties in the tabernacle, not to general fellowship with God. We can find comfort knowing that our worth is never defined by our bodily state or limitations.
Christians today understand this law as part of a broader pattern where outward symbols pointed toward deeper spiritual truths. The emphasis on physical integrity served to highlight the holiness required for approaching God in those specific ancient rituals. This historical context helps us appreciate the care taken in worship practices without imposing these ancient standards on contemporary faith life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a defect1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּבַלֻּ֣ל1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 21:20
or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles.
This verse lists teballul as one of several physical conditions that prevented Aaronic priests from performing their specific duties in the sanctuary.