תׇּרְמָה (tor.mah)
tor.mah
treachery; deceitfulness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun termah denotes a state of treachery or deceitful conduct. It appears in six biblical verses, primarily within the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Zephaniah, as well as in Psalms. The word captures the essence of betrayal, describing actions that are fundamentally dishonest or fraudulent.
Its usage often highlights the moral corruption of individuals or nations who break covenants or act with hidden malice. In Judges 9:31, it is employed to describe a deceptive strategy, though some scholars note the form is unusual there. More commonly, it serves as a stark accusation against those who claim loyalty while planning harm.
Translators typically render termah as "treachery" or "deceit," emphasizing the breach of trust inherent in the act. The term carries significant theological weight in the prophetic literature, where it underscores why judgment falls upon communities that abandon integrity for cunning.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word termah describes a deep-seated deceitfulness that goes beyond simple lying. It points to a heart that is fundamentally untrustworthy, often hiding malice behind a mask of loyalty. In the ancient world, breaking a covenant was not just a legal issue but a spiritual betrayal. When people practice this kind of treachery, they sever the bonds of community and distance themselves from God, who values integrity above all else.
For us today, this word serves as a sobering reminder to examine our own motives. We are called to live with transparency, even when it is difficult. The prophets used this term to warn leaders who claimed to speak for God while pursuing their own agendas. It challenges us to reject the cunning that seeks short-term gain at the cost of truth.
There is hope in the contrast presented in Zephaniah 3:13. The faithful remnant is described as having no deceitful tongue in their mouths. This vision of honesty offers a path toward peace and safety. As we strive to follow Christ, we can trust that God honors those who seek to walk in sincerity rather than hidden agendas.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- on <the>/ deceitfulness1×
- in/ treachery1×
- deceitfulness/ their1×
- deceitfulness1×
- and/ [the] deceitfulness of1×
- [the] deceitfulness of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּרְמִיתָֽ/ם\׃1×
- תַּרְמִ֥ת1×
- תַּרְמִ֑ית1×
- וְ/תַרְמִ֣ית1×
- בַּ/תַּרְמִ֔ית1×
- בְּ/תָרְמָ֣ה1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 8:5
Why then have the people of Jerusalem fallen back by a perpetual backsliding? They cling to deceit. They refuse to return.
This verse highlights the stubborn nature of deceit, showing how clinging to treachery prevents people from returning to God.
-
Jeremiah 14:14
Then Yahweh said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in my name. I didn’t send them. I didn’t command them. I didn’t speak to them. They prophesy to you a lying vision, divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their own heart.
Here the word exposes false prophets whose lies originate from their own hearts rather than from divine instruction.
-
Zephaniah 3:13
The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”
This occurrence provides a positive counter-image, describing the restored remnant as free from deceitful tongues.