תְּחִלָּה
a commencement; rel. original (adverb, -ly)
Definition
The Hebrew word תְּחִלָּה (tᵉchillâh) is an adverb meaning 'beginning,' 'first,' or 'at the start.' It denotes the initial point or stage of an action, event, or sequence. In Genesis 13:3, it describes Abram's return to the 'place where his tent had been at the beginning,' marking a point of origin. In narrative contexts like Judges 1:1 and 20:18, it often introduces the first action in a series of inquiries or battles, emphasizing a sequential starting point. The word can also imply a foundational or original state, as seen in Genesis 41:21, where Pharaoh's dream cows return to their 'original' emaciated condition.
Biblical Usage
תְּחִלָּה appears 21 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative books like Genesis, Judges, and Samuel. It is used to mark the commencement of journeys (Genesis 43:18, 20), military campaigns (Judges 1:1; 20:18), and agricultural seasons (Ruth 1:22). A common pattern is its use in formulas like 'at the beginning' or 'the first time,' often setting the stage for subsequent events. For example, in 2 Samuel 17:9, it describes a hypothetical 'first attack' in battle, highlighting strategic initiation.
Etymology
Derived from the root חָלַל (ḥālal, H2490), which means 'to bore,' 'pierce,' or 'open,' תְּחִלָּה carries the sense of an opening or commencement. This root implies initiating something by creating an opening or breach, leading to the adverbial meaning of 'beginning.' Cognates in other Semitic languages share similar concepts of starting or firstness, reflecting a common linguistic heritage for marking origins.
Semantic Range
As a term for 'beginning,' תְּחִלָּה connects to theological themes of origins, divine order, and human agency in biblical narratives. It underscores God's sovereignty in initiating creation and history, though it is not used in Genesis 1:1 (which uses רֵאשִׁית, rēʾshît). Understanding תְּחִלָּה enriches reading by highlighting how biblical authors framed events—such as Israel's inquiries of God in Judges—as starting points within God's unfolding plan, emphasizing dependency on divine guidance from the outset.
In ancient Israelite culture, beginnings were significant for marking time, seasons, and communal actions. תְּחִלָּה often appears in contexts of consultation (e.g., seeking God's will before battle) or agricultural cycles, reflecting a society that valued ordered sequences and divine initiation. Unlike modern casual references to 'start,' this word carried weight in narratives, signaling important transitions or foundational moments in community life.
רֵאשִׁית (rēʾshît, H7225) — denotes the absolute beginning or first in rank, used in Genesis 1:1; תְּחִלָּה focuses more on the starting point of a sequence. רִאשׁוֹן (riʾshôn, H7223) — an adjective meaning 'first' in order or time, often used for items in a list; תְּחִלָּה is adverbial, emphasizing the action of beginning.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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