תָּמִיד (ta.mid)
ta.mid
continually
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 86 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word tamid conveys the idea of unbroken continuity or perpetuity. Derived from a root meaning "to stretch," it suggests something that extends without interruption. In Scripture, it functions as both an adjective describing constant states and an adverb indicating ongoing action. This sense of steady endurance appears in descriptions of God’s faithfulness and the regular rhythms of worship.
A defining feature of tamid is its frequent use in cultic contexts to designate the daily sacrifices. Phrases like "the continual burnt-offering" (Numbers 28:3) refer to the specific morning and evening rituals that maintained Israel’s covenant relationship with God. Similarly, the "bread of the Presence" (Exodus 25:30) was set out continually, symbolizing God's persistent provision and presence among His people.
While often translated as "daily" or "always," tamid carries a weight of permanence that goes beyond mere frequency. It points to a reliable, unceasing order. When Psalms speak of hope placed in the Lord "continually" (Psalm 16:8), they reflect a trust that mirrors this divine constancy. The word anchors theological concepts of God’s enduring nature in the tangible practices of ancient Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tamid points to an unbroken continuity, describing actions or states that extend without interruption. In ancient Israel, this term anchored the daily rhythms of worship through the continual burnt offerings and the perpetual light in the tabernacle. These practices were not merely routine tasks but tangible expressions of a reliable order maintained before God.
For your faith life, this concept offers a comforting picture of steadfastness. Just as the lamps burned from evening to morning and sacrifices were offered day by day, your trust in God is invited into a pattern of steady endurance. It reminds us that divine presence and provision are not fleeting moments but a constant reality.
This enduring nature encourages you to find stability in seasons of change. The same constancy that characterized the sanctuary rituals reflects the reliability of God’s faithfulness. You can rest in the assurance that His commitment to you remains unbroken, offering a secure foundation for your daily walk.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 86 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- continually55×
- <the>/ continuity17×
- continuity6×
- the/ perpetual [offering]5×
- and/ continually2×
- [which] continually1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/תָּמִ֔יד12×
- תָּמִֽיד\׃9×
- תָּמִ֖יד7×
- תָּמִ֑יד7×
- תָמִֽיד\׃7×
- תָּמִ֔יד5×
- תָּמִ֛יד4×
- תָמִ֑יד4×
- הַ/תָּמִ֖יד4×
- תָּמִיד֙3×
- הַ/תָּמִ֛יד3×
- תָּמִֽיד\׃\ \פ2×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 29:42
It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you, to speak there to you.
This verse establishes the continual burnt offering as a permanent statute across generations, highlighting the word's emphasis on enduring covenant faithfulness rather than temporary ritual.
-
Leviticus 24:3
Outside of the veil of the Testimony, in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh continually. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.
The command to keep the lamp burning continually from evening to morning illustrates the word’s application to unceasing light, symbolizing God's persistent presence among His people.
-
Numbers 28:3
You shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to Yahweh: male lambs a year old without defect, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering.
Here tamid defines the specific daily rhythm of two lambs offered without fail, grounding the abstract idea of continuity in a concrete, repeatable act of worship.
-
Exodus 25:30
You shall set bread of the presence on the table before me always.
The placement of bread before God always signifies a continuous provision and remembrance, showing how the word applies to sustained relational presence rather than just frequency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tamid mean in the Bible?
How is tamid different from other words for 'always'?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (86 verses across 17 books)
Exodus 8 verses
You shall set bread of the presence on the table before me always.
Exodus 27:20“You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp…
Exodus 28:29Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to…
Exodus 28:30You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes…
Exodus 28:38It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel…
Exodus 29:38“Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually.
Exodus 29:42It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh,…
Exodus 30:8When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations.