טוּא
to sweep away
Definition
The Hebrew verb טוּא (ṭûwʼ) means 'to sweep away' or 'to sweep clean.' It carries the sense of thorough removal, often with a broom or similar instrument, implying a complete cleansing or eradication of something from a surface or area. In its sole biblical occurrence in Isaiah 14:23, it is used metaphorically by God to declare His judgment: He will 'sweep it with the broom of destruction,' referring to the complete and devastating overthrow of Babylon. The word emphasizes the totality and finality of the action, leaving nothing behind.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 14:23, within a prophetic oracle against Babylon. The context is one of divine judgment and utter desolation. The prophet Isaiah employs the word in a vivid, metaphorical sense, where God Himself is the agent who sweeps away the pride and power of a wicked nation. There is no literal sweeping of a floor, but a figurative sweeping away of a kingdom into ruin and emptiness, showcasing the word's potency in conveying complete removal.
Etymology
טוּא (ṭûwʼ) is identified as a primitive root in Hebrew lexicons. Its fundamental meaning relates to the action of sweeping. Cognate words exist in other Semitic languages, like Arabic (ṭāḥa, 'to sweep'), confirming this basic sense. As a primary verb, it doesn't derive from a simpler Hebrew root, and its meaning remained focused on the concept of clearing or removing by a sweeping motion.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, טוּא is theologically significant as it vividly portrays God's sovereign judgment against human arrogance and evil. In Isaiah 14:23, it underscores that God's judgment is not partial or temporary but total and final. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of this prophecy by emphasizing the completeness of divine justice—Babylon's glory is not merely diminished but utterly swept away, leaving only desolation. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate authority over the nations.
In the ancient Near East, sweeping was a common domestic task using simple brooms made of twigs or palm fronds. The action implied a thorough cleaning, preparing a space, or removing refuse. When used metaphorically in Isaiah, the original audience would have immediately grasped the imagery of something being completely cleared out and made bare, amplifying the prophecy's severity. The 'broom of destruction' is a striking personification of God's judgment tool.
בָּרַר (bārar, H1305) — to purify, select, or cleanse, often with a sense of refining rather than physical removal. סָחָה (sāḥâ, H5500) — to scrape or sweep away, sometimes used for wiping a dish; can imply a similar thorough removal but with a slightly different physical action.
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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