תּוֹעָה (to.ah)
to.ah
error
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun toah describes a state of wandering or error, particularly in moral and religious conduct. It conveys the idea of straying from a correct path, leading to confusion or disturbance in one’s life. Unlike simple mistakes, this term implies a deeper deviation from righteousness or divine instruction.
In Scripture, it appears only once, in Isaiah 53:6, where it underscores the universal human tendency to stray from God’s way. The word captures both the action of wandering and the resulting disorder, highlighting how moral failure disrupts spiritual direction. Translators often render it as "error" or "wandering," reflecting its dual sense of movement away from truth and the confusion that follows.
Its root suggests a path lost or a course偏离ed, emphasizing the consequence of turning aside from what is right. This single usage in Isaiah serves as a poignant reminder of humanity’s need for redemption, as all have gone astray and require restoration to the true way.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word תּוֹעָה (toah) describes a deep wandering, not just a simple mistake. It points to a state where we have lost our way morally or spiritually, straying from the path of righteousness. This term highlights how such deviation leads to confusion and disturbance in our lives, separating us from divine instruction.
In Isaiah 53:6, this concept underscores a universal truth: all people have gone astray. It is a poignant reminder that we cannot find our way back on our own. The word captures both the action of wandering and the resulting disorder, showing how moral failure disrupts our spiritual direction.
Yet, this recognition of error is not the end of the story. It points to our need for redemption and restoration. By acknowledging our tendency to stray, we open ourselves to the grace that guides us back to the true way, offering hope and peace in a world often filled with confusion.
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.
- תּוֹעָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 32:6
For the fool will speak folly, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice profanity, and to utter error against Yahweh, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and to cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
This verse illustrates how error (toah) is connected to foolishness and iniquity, showing that straying from God leads to harmful actions against others.