תְּמוּנָה (te.mu.nah)
te.mu.nah
likeness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun temunah refers to a visible form, shape, or likeness. It describes something that has a definite appearance or structure, serving as a concrete representation rather than an abstract idea. In the Old Testament, this word is most frequently found in Deuteronomy, where it appears in the context of the covenant and the prohibition against making idols.
A key distinction lies in its usage during the Sinai narrative. When Moses describes what Israel saw at Mount Horeb, he notes that they saw no temunah—no specific form or likeness—only a voice (Deuteronomy 4:15). This highlights the transcendence of God, who cannot be captured in any physical image. The word underscores the impossibility of reducing the divine to a visible statue or symbol.
The term also appears in Psalms and Numbers, often contrasting human-made representations with reality. Its root suggests something that is set out or displayed for view. Translators typically render it as "form," "likeness," or "image," depending on whether the context emphasizes physical shape or representational status. The word reinforces the biblical theme that God’s nature exceeds any visual depiction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word temunah reminds us that God cannot be captured in a box or a statue. When Israel stood at Mount Sinai, they heard a voice but saw no form. This absence of a visible shape was not a lack, but a protection. It kept their worship focused on who God is, rather than what He looks like.
We often try to define God by our own experiences or cultural images. Temunah challenges us to let go of those limited pictures. It invites us to trust in His word and presence, even when we cannot see Him clearly. This freedom from fixed images allows for a deeper, more honest relationship with the Creator.
Instead of trying to control God through symbols, we can rest in His transcendence. He is greater than anything we can imagine or create. This truth brings peace, knowing that our God is not confined by human limits or expectations.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- form3×
- a form of3×
- likeness/ your1×
- and/ a form1×
- and/ [the] form of1×
- a form1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּמ֣וּנַת2×
- תְּמוּנָתֶֽ/ךָ\׃1×
- תְּמוּנָ֡֔ה1×
- תְּמוּנָ֔ה1×
- תְּמוּנָ֔֡ה1×
- תְּמוּנַ֣ת1×
- תְּ֭מוּנָה1×
- וּ/תְמוּנָ֛ה1×
- וּ/תְמֻנַ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 4:15
Be very careful, for you saw no kind of form on the day that Yahweh spoke to you in Horeb out of the middle of the fire,
This verse establishes the core theological point that Israel saw no form at Sinai, preventing idolatry by emphasizing God's invisibility.
-
Numbers 12:8
With him, I will speak mouth to mouth, even plainly, and not in riddles; and he shall see Yahweh’s form. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant, against Moses?”
Here the word contrasts with Moses' unique prophetic role, as he sees Yahweh’s form while others do not.
-
Deuteronomy 4:16
lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourself a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
It warns against creating carved images in the likeness of male or female figures to avoid corrupting worship.