תּוֹחַ
Toach, an Israelite
Definition
תּוֹחַ (Tôwach) is a proper noun referring to an Israelite man named Toach. He is listed in the genealogy of the Levitical line of Kohath, specifically as the son of Zuph and the father of Eliel (1 Chronicles 6:34). In the parallel list in 1 Samuel 1:1, the name appears as 'Tohu,' which is likely a variant spelling or a closely related name. The entry serves primarily to establish a familial link within the priestly lineage, connecting the prophet Samuel's ancestor Zuph to his descendant Eliel. No other meanings or senses are attested for this specific form in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 6:34, within a genealogical record. It functions solely as a personal name to trace the ancestry of the Levite Samuel. The context is entirely genealogical, listing the generations from Levi through Kohath down to Samuel's father Elkanah. The parallel name 'Tohu' in 1 Samuel 1:1 serves the same function in Samuel's introductory genealogy.
Etymology
The name תּוֹחַ (Tôwach) is derived from an unused Hebrew root thought to mean 'to depress' or 'to be low,' suggesting a meaning like 'humble' or 'lowly.' This etymological sense aligns with many Hebrew names that describe a characteristic or hope. The variant 'Tohu' (תֹּחוּ, H8459) found in 1 Samuel 1:1 may come from the same root or a related one, and is notably the same word used in Genesis 1:2 for 'formless' (as in 'tohu wabohu'), though a direct connection for the personal name is uncertain.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its placement is significant. Toach is a link in the genealogy of Samuel, a pivotal prophet and judge who anointed Israel's first kings. Being part of the Levitical line underscores God's faithfulness in preserving the priestly tribe for His service. The name's possible meaning of 'humble' could be seen as ironically fitting for an ancestor of Samuel, who served God with dedication. Understanding this lineage enriches the reading of 1 Samuel by showing Samuel's deep, ordained roots within Israel's worship structure.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning or reflected circumstances. A name like Toach, potentially meaning 'humble,' may have expressed a parental hope or acknowledged a condition. Its sole appearance in a genealogy highlights the immense cultural and religious importance of familial lines, especially for the Levites, where lineage determined priestly rights and duties. The variation between 'Toach' and 'Tohu' in different biblical books reflects common fluidity in the transmission of names within genealogical records.
Tohu (תֹּחוּ, H8459) — A variant name for the same individual (1 Samuel 1:1), possibly from a related root.
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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