תֹּחוּ (to.chu)
to.chu
Tohu
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Tohu identifies a specific ancestor in the lineage of the prophet Samuel. Listed as a man of the tribe of Levi, he is introduced in 1 Samuel 1:1 as the son of Zuph and the father of Elihu. This genealogical record places him during the era of the United Monarchy, linking the priestly line directly to one of Israel’s most significant biblical figures.
Lexical sources note that the name likely carries the meaning "lowly," a fitting descriptor for a Levite who served in the temple without royal status. The textual tradition reveals some variation in how his name is recorded across different books; while 1 Samuel and Chronicles generally use Tohu, other passages in 1 Chronicles 6:26 and 6:34 refer to him as Nahath or Toah. These variations reflect the complex transmission of priestly records rather than distinct individuals.
Understanding Tohu provides a concrete link in the family tree that leads from the Levitical priesthood to Samuel himself. His inclusion in these lists underscores the importance of lineage in biblical history, showing how ordinary names and humble origins contributed to the broader narrative of Israel’s leadership and worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read through long genealogies in Scripture, it is easy to skip over names that seem like mere footnotes. Yet this entry reminds us that God’s redemptive plan moves through real people, often from humble or obscure backgrounds. The name Tohu suggests a sense of lowliness or emptiness, yet he stands as a vital link in the chain leading to Samuel and Eli.
His place in 1 Samuel 1:1 shows that lineage matters not for pride, but for continuity. God uses ordinary families to carry forward His promises. We are part of a larger story where every generation plays a role in preparing the way for those who will lead and worship faithfully.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tohu1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תֹּ֥חוּ1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 1:1
Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
This verse anchors Tohu as a specific ancestor in Elkanah’s line, confirming his role in the priestly heritage that produced Samuel.