טְחֹר
a boil or ulcer (from the inflammation), especially a tumorin the anus or pudenda (the piles)
Definition
The Hebrew noun טְחֹר (ṭᵉchôr) refers to a severe, inflamed boil or ulcer, specifically understood in its biblical context as a hemorrhoidal tumor or swelling. It describes a painful, burning affliction, likely associated with the anus or genital region, as indicated by its usage in the narrative of 1 Samuel 5-6. This term appears exclusively in the account of the Philistines' affliction after capturing the Ark of the Covenant, where it is part of a divine plague. The word's meaning is consistent across its two occurrences, denoting a specific, divinely inflicted physical malady.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in the historical narrative of 1 Samuel 6. It describes the tumors that struck the Philistines in the cities of Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron after they took the Ark of God (1 Samuel 5). In 1 Samuel 6:11 and 6:17, the term is used in the context of the golden votive offerings (models of the tumors and rats) that the Philistines sent back with the Ark as a guilt offering to appease the God of Israel. Its usage is entirely within this specific story of divine judgment and is not found in legal, poetic, or prophetic texts.
Etymology
The noun טְחֹר is derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to burn' or 'to be inflamed.' This etymological connection directly informs its meaning, pointing to a burning, painful swelling or ulcer. The sense of a 'hemorrhoid' or 'tumor' is a specific development from this core idea of a fiery inflammation.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is the specific instrument of God's direct judgment against the Philistines for their disrespect toward the Ark of the Covenant, a symbol of His holy presence (1 Samuel 5:6-12). The affliction demonstrates God's power over foreign nations and His defense of His own glory. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of 1 Samuel by highlighting the tangible, humiliating nature of the plague, which led the Philistines' priests and diviners to acknowledge the 'heavy hand' of the God of Israel (1 Samuel 6:5-9).
In the ancient Near Eastern context, such physical afflictions were often viewed not merely as medical conditions but as signs of divine displeasure or curse. The Philistines' interpretation of the tumors as a specific judgment from the God of Israel (1 Samuel 5:7, 11) reflects this worldview. The making of golden models of the tumors as a guilt offering (1 Samuel 6:4-5, 8, 11, 17) was a recognized cultural practice for appeasing a deity, illustrating their attempt to ritually remedy the perceived divine offense.
שְׁחִין (shechîn, H7822) — A more general term for a boil, blister, or ulcer, used in various contexts including the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 9:9-11) and Job's affliction (Job 2:7).
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.
Full methodology & sources →