תְּמוּתָה (te.mu.tah)
te.mu.tah
death
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun temutah is a straightforward Hebrew word meaning death. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Psalm 89:48. In this context, it refers to the finality of human mortality, serving as a rhetorical question about who can escape the grave.
While common synonyms like mawet exist, temutah is rare and distinct. Its single occurrence highlights the universal reality that all people face death, regardless of their status or righteousness. The psalmist uses it to emphasize that no one can claim immunity from this fate, pointing to the need for divine mercy rather than human power.
Translators render it simply as "death," capturing its blunt, unadorned nature. This rarity makes its usage in Psalm 89 particularly striking, as it stands alone to underscore the solemn truth of human finitude before God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word temutah appears just once in the Hebrew Scriptures, located in Psalm 89:48. It translates simply to death, marking the end of human life on earth. This rare term highlights a universal truth that applies to every person, regardless of their status or righteousness. No one can escape this final reality, which reminds us of our shared human condition.
When we face the certainty of mortality, it is natural to feel vulnerable. The psalmist uses this stark word not to frighten, but to direct our eyes toward God’s mercy. Recognising that life is finite encourages us to rely on divine strength rather than our own power. This awareness can bring a quiet peace, knowing that our hope rests in the One who holds all things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- death1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְמוּתָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 79:11
Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you. According to the greatness of your power, preserve those who are sentenced to death.
This verse uses a related concept of being sentenced to death, reflecting the psalmist's plea for God's power to preserve those facing mortality.