תׇּהֳלָה (to.ho.lah)
to.ho.lah
error
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun toholah appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 4:18. In this context, it is translated as "error," describing a fundamental flaw or mistake in judgment. Eliphaz uses the term to argue that even God’s angels are not flawless in His sight, suggesting that human beings, who are made of dust, are far more prone to such mistakes.
Its rarity makes this single occurrence particularly significant for understanding the book’s themes. The word highlights the gap between divine perfection and human limitation. By pointing out that even celestial beings have aspects that might be considered erroneous or imperfect in comparison to God, the text underscores the vast distance between the Creator and His creatures.
Translators consistently render this rare word as "error" rather than "sin," which implies a moral transgression. This distinction is important because it frames the issue as one of cognitive or existential limitation rather than deliberate rebellion. The term serves to humble human pride by reminding readers that their understanding is inherently partial and subject to correction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face moments of deep uncertainty or spiritual confusion, it can feel as though our understanding is crumbling. The word toholah reminds us that even beings of great power and light are not beyond the reach of limitation. In Job 4:18, we learn that God charges His angels with error, showing that imperfection is a part of created existence, distinct from the perfect nature of the Creator.
This truth offers a gentle release from the pressure to have all the answers. It invites us to acknowledge our own finite perspective without falling into despair. Recognising that our judgment can be flawed helps us approach life with humility and grace, trusting in God’s wisdom even when our own seems insufficient.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- error1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תָּהֳלָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Job 4:18
Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his angels with error.
This verse uses the word to highlight that even exalted celestial beings are subject to limitation, establishing a baseline for human humility.