tehôm - "Genesis 1:2" Help

Mark Bishop

"Deep" in Genesis 1:2 is tehôm in greek.  Someone said that the word comes from "hume" (spelling wrong but it's how he pronounced it).  When I right click on "deep," I don't see any root only the lemma.

How do I find out the root or where tehôm comes from?

Veli Voipio

I think it depends on the resource. LHI seems to have the root.

DMB

Not sure 'in greek'. But adding, some view it as a proper name (minority; Tiamat). Ergo whether a root.

Justin Gatlin

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884017#Comment_884017

The Greek word corresponding to the Hebrew tehom is abyssos. Not sure what "hume" is supposed to be. Can you give some more context on the point the person was making?

Clicking on the lemma, then performing a Bible word study and looking at some of the better lexicons is usually the way to find out the history of a word. But etymology does not equal meaning, and a little knowledge in that area is a dangerous thing. (Our word "nice" comes from the Latin root meaning "ignorant." When I call someone nice, it is wrong to say that I am literally suggesting they are ignorant.)

Mark Bishop

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884024#Comment_884024

All I remember is we spoke about Dark being "flood, ocean, water" then going to the root, it can mean "roar" or "sound."

Ben

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884028#Comment_884028

If they're talking Greek, then it's the Septuagint transltion of Genesis 1:2, and tehom won't get you anywhere with that. I don't know what Logos says here, but Hebrew roots are often identical to the lemma, disputed, or simply unknown. Tehom may be a common NW Semitic noun (*THM appears at Ugarit) and may be related to Akkadian Tiamat, the female watery deity slain by Marduk to create the world in Enuma Eliš.

EastTN

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884044#Comment_884044

I believe we're dealing with the Hebrew here.  Tehom would be תְה֑וֹם. If I'm reading it right, the Septuagint's equivalent is τῆς ἀβύσσου.

Mark, as Justin suggested, looking at some lexicons may help. Here's what I found checking a few:

תְּהוֹם pl. תְּהֹמוֹת comm., a poetic word, pr. water making a noise, in commotion (from the root הוּם), hence—(1) wave (Welle, Woge), Psa. 42:8, תְּהוֹם אֶל־תְּהוֹם קֹרֵא “wave calleth unto wave,” i.e. wave follows wave without intermission. Pl. Ex. 15:5, 8; Ps. 33:7; 78:15.
(2) a great quantity of waters, i.q. מַיִם Deut. 8:7; Eze. 31:4; תְּהוֹם רַבָּה ocean, sea, Gen. 7:11; Ps. 36:7; Am. 7:4; and simply תְּהוֹם id., Job 28:14; 38:16, 30. Hence—
(3) gulf, abyss, even used of the deep hollows of the earth, Ps. 71:20. (Syr. ܬܗܘܽܡܐܳ wave, abyss.)


Wilhelm Gesenius and Samuel Prideaux Tregelles, Gesenius’ Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament Scriptures (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2003), 857.

תְּהוֹם S8415 TWOT2495a GK9333 n.f. Gn 7:11 + 7 times et. m. Jb. 28:14 + 5 times (AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 62 Köii. 2. 167 Ency. Bib. DEEP) deep, sea, abyss (almost always poet.);—abs. ת׳ Gn 1:2 +; pl. abs. תְּהֹמוֹת ψ 77:17 +, etc., בַּתּ׳ Is 63:13 ψ 106:9 (only here c. art.); cstr. תְּהוֹמוֹת 71:20 (but v. 5 infra);—1. deep, of subterranean waters, Gn 49:25 (poem in J; opp. שָׁמַיִם), Dt 33:13 (opp. id.); מַעְיְנוֹת ת׳ רַבָּה Gn 7:11; 8:2 (P; || אֲרֻבֹּת הַשָּׁמַיִם), עִינוֹת ת׳ Pr 8:28 (|| שְׁחָקִים), Jb 28:14; 38:16 (both || יָם); תְּהוֹם רַבָּה Am 7:4 (prob.), מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ ת׳ רַבָּה ψ 36:7 (opp. צִדְקָֽתְךָ כְּהַרְרֵי אֵל), Is 51:10 (perhaps); so pl. תְּהֹמוֹת, Pr 8:24 (|| מַעְיָנוֹת), 3:20 (opp. שְׁחָקִים), and prob. ψ 33:7 (|| מֵי הַיָּם), 135:6 ( + יַמִּים). 2. (deep) sea, overwhelming Tyre Ez 26:19 (|| הַמַּיִם הָרַבִּים), roaring at theoph Hb 3:10; in gen., || יָם, Jb 38:30 (פְנֵי ת׳); || מַיִם Jon 2:6; alone Jb 41:24; fig., ת׳ אֶל־ת׳ קוֹרֵא ψ 42:8 (|| מִשְׁבָּרִים, גַּלִּים; but poss. here of Jordan, cf. 4); in pl. = abysses of sea, Ex 15:5, 8 (of Red Sea, so) Is 63:13 || ψ 106:9, ψ 77:17; also 78:15 (in sim.), 107:26 (poet. of hollows of great waves, opp. שָׁמַיִם ; vaguely, כָּל־תְּהֹמוֹת ψ 135:6; 148:7. 3. primaeval ocean, deep, in Heb. cosmogony, פְּנֵי ת׳ Gn 1:2 (P; || פְּנֵי הַמַּיִם), Pr 8:27 (|| שָׁמַיִם), ψ 104:6.—(cf., further, GunkSchöpfung u. Chaos 21 ff. OCWhitehouseHast. DB COSMOGONY ZimKAT3, 492 f., 509 f., 585). 4. deep, depth, of river Ez 31:4 (Nile; || מַיִם, + נַהֲרוֹתֶיהָ), v 15 (|| id.); pl. of bursts of water fertilizing Canaan, יוצאים בבקעה ובהר Dt 8:7 ( + עֲיָנֹת, נַחֲלֵי מַיִם).—On ψ 42:8 v. 2. 5. abyss (si vera l.): תְּהוֹמוֹת הָאָרֶץ = She’ôl, ψ 71:20, but Ol We תַּחְתִּיּוֹת.

Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 1062–1063.

9333 תְּהוֹם (tehôm): n.fem. and masc.; ≡ Str 8415; TWOT 2495a—1. LN 1.17–1.25 the deep, the depths, i.e., an area below the surface of bodies of water, a dark, inaccessible, inexhaustible, and mysterious place controlled only by objects with vast powers (Ge 1:2; 7:11; 8:2; 49:25; Ex 15:5, 8; Dt 33:13; Job 28:14; 38:16, 30; 41:24[EB 32]; Ps 33:7; 36:7[EB 6]; 42:8(2×)[EB 7(2×)]; 77:17[EB 16]; 78:15; 104:6; 106:9; 107:26; 135:6; 148:7; Pr 3:20; 8:24, 27, 28; Isa 51:10; 63:13; Eze 26:19; Am 7:4; Jnh 2:6[EB 5]; Hab 3:10+), see also domain LN 81.3–81.11; 2. LN 1.69–1.78 deep springs, i.e., a body of water which comes out of the earth (Dt 8:7; Eze 31:4, 15+); 3. LN 1.17–1.25 unit: תְּהוֹם הַ־ אֶרֶץ (tehôm hǎ- ʾě·rěṣ) Sheol, formally, depths of the earth, i.e., the place where the dead reside (Ps 71:20+)

James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).

  תְּהוֹם 36.3.32 n.f.&m. deep—pl. תְּהֹמוֹת (תְּהוֹמוֹת, תְּהֹמֹת); cstr. תְּהֹמוֹת; sf. Q תהומיה—plur. perh. sometimes for sing., whether or not a sing. וֹת- ending, 1. deep, abyss (Am 7:4; Ps 36:7; Si 16:18; 42:18; 51:5 [[תה]ום] 1QH 1117.31.32; 1338; 1416.24; 4QapJosephb 130; 4QDibHama 1.77 [[תהום]]), assoc. with or equivalent to Sheol (1QH 1833; 4QTobite 66 [תהו[ם]] 11QPsApa 47.9 [[תהום]]; pl. Ps 71:20 [or em.; see Cstr.]), place of subterranean waters (Gn 7:11=4QCommGenA 15; Gn 8:2; Is 51:10; Ezk 31:4, 15; Jb 38:16; Pr 8:28; 4QBera 59; pl. Ps 33:7; 77:17; 78:15 [or em.; see Prep.] Pr 3:20; 8:24; 1QM 1013; 4QJuba 22 [התהו[מות]] 216 [תהומות]] 4QAdmon 1.14.4 [תהמו[ת]] 4QInstrb 112; 4QRitMar 97), personified (Gn 49:25; Dt 33:13; Hb 3:10; Ps 77:17; Jb 28:14; 4QInstrb 112).
  2. deep (sea), distinction from §1 not alw. clear (Ezk 26:19; Jon 2:6; Si 43:23), deep (water) (Jb 38:30; 41:24), personified (Ps 42:8, 8); pl. deep waters, depths (Ps 135:6; 1QH 515; 914; 1115; 4QJuba 211 [[תהום]ות]), personified (Ps 148:7), of Reed Sea (Ex 15:5, 8; Is 63:13; Ps 106:9), troughs of waves (Ps 107:26=4Q418b 13 [תהמו[ת]]).
  3. deep, primaeval ocean (Gn 1:2; Ps 104:6; Pr 8:27).
  4. fountain, spring (Dt 8:7).
  <SUBJ> אמר say Jb 28:14, הלל pi. praise Ps 148:7, קרא call Ps 42:8, המה roar 1QH 1424, מוט hi. tremble 4QHymnB 14, רגז tremble Ps 77:17, פחד fear 4QInstrb 112, הלך hi. cause to flow Ezk 31:4 (if em. הֹלֵךְ flowing to הֹלִיכָה it caused to flow), יצא go out Dt 8:7, נשׂא lift hands Hb 3:10 (or em. רוֹם יָדֵיהוּ נָשָׂא׃ שֶׁמֶשׁ the deep lifted up its hands on high. The sun and moon stood still to מְדוֹרַיהוּ נָשָׁה שֶׁמֶשׁ׃ the sun forgot its turning point or מִזְרָחוֹ/מִזְרָחֹה נָשָׁה שֶׁמֶשׁ׃ the sun forgot its rising), רום pol. cause to grow Ezk 31:4, בקע ni. break out Pr 3:20, פוץ overflow 4QAdmon 1.14 (תהמו[ת]), סבב surround Jon 2:6, רבץ lie down Gn 49:25; Dt 33:13, עמד stand (still) Si 16:18(Qr) (עֹמְדִים; Kt עמודים appar. pillars; or em. מֹעֲדִים were shaking; unless עמד II waver), כסה pi. cover Ex 15:5, קפא congeal Ex 15:8, רתח boil 1QH 1115, נתן give voice Hb 3:10.
  <NOM CL> מִשְׁפָּטֶֽךָ תְּהוֹם רַבָּה your justice is (like) the great deep Ps 36:7, בְּאֵין־תְּהֹמוֹת when there were no deeps Pr 8:24.
  <OBJ> חשׁב consider Jb 41:24, חקר search Si 42:18, עלה hi. bring up Ezk 26:19, אכל devour Am 7:4, כסה pi. cover Ezk 31:15, נתן give, i.e. place Ps 33:7, כון hi. prepare 4QJuba 22 (התהו[מות] … [הכין]).
  <CSTR> תְּהֹמוֹת הָאָרֶץ depths of the earth Ps 71:20 (or em. תַּחְתִּיּוֹת lowest places), [תהומ]ות המ[ים] depths of the waters 4QJuba 211.
  מַעְיְנֹת תְּהוֹם springs of the deep Gn 7:11=4QCommGenA 15; Gn 8:2 (both + אֲרֻבֹּת הַשָּׁמַיִם windows of the heavens) 4QBera 59 (מעיני תהום), עִינוֹת springs of Pr 8:28, מֵי waters of Is 51:10, מי תהומיה waters of its deeps 4QRitMar 97, פְּנֵי תְּהוֹם face of the deep Gn 1:2; Jb 38:30; Pr 8:27, חֵקֶר depth of Jb 38:16, מעמקי תהום the depths of the deep 4QapJosephb 130, רחם womb of Si 51:5 ([תה]ום).
  שַׁרְעֵי תְּהוֹמוֹת surgings [שֶׁרַע I] or crestings [שֶׁרַע II] of the depths 2 S 1:21 (if em. שְׂדֵי תְרוּמֹת fields of contributions), שְׁדִי תְּהֹמוֹת flowing of the deeps 2 S 1:21 (if em. שְׂדֵי תְרוּמֹת), מבקע תהומות cleavage of the deeps 1QM 1013, גשר תה[ומ/ות] bridge of the deep(s) 4QapMes 5.212, מחשבי תהום those who plot of, i.e. from, the deep 1QH 1132, רזי תהום mysteries of the deep 1QMyst 133, כָּל־תְּהֹמוֹת all deeps Ps 135:6 (תְּהוֹמוֹת) 148:7; 4QAdmon 1.14 (תהמו[ת]).
  <ADJ> רַב great Gn 7:11=4QCommGenA 15; Is 51:10; Am 7:4; Ps 36:7; 1QH 1131; 4QDibHama 1.77 ([תהום]) 11QPsApa 47.9 ([תהום ר]בה), גָּדוֹל great 4QTobite 66 (תהו[ם ג]דול[ה]).
  <PREP> לְ of direction, to 1QH 1117, + ירד hi. bring down 11QPsApa 47 ([יורידו]ך).
  בְּ of place, in, through Jb 28:14; 1QH 515; 4QJuba 216 ([בתהומות]) 4QCryptA 2.22; 4QapJosephb 23; 4QPrFêtesc 72, + הלך hi. lead Is 63:13; Ps 106:9, נטה hi. spread Si 43:23, עשׂה do Ps 135:6, חשׁך be dark 11QPsApa 49 ([בתהום]); from, + שׁקה hi. give to drink Ps 78:15(mss).
  כְּ as (from), + שׁקה hi. give to drink Ps 78:15 (mss בְּ from; or em. כִּתְהֹמוֹת רַבָּה as [from] the depths abundantly to כִּי תְהֹמוֹת רַבָּה and watered the vast wasteland itself [taking תְּהֹמוֹת as a fem. sing. noun]).
  מִן of direction, from, + עלה hi. bring up Ps 71:20; 4QTobite 66 (תהו[ם]), בקע ni. break out 4QAdmon 1.14.
  אֶל to, + קרא call Ps 42:8.
  עִם with, + חשׁב ni. be reckoned 1QH 1338.
  עַד unto, as far as 1QH 1416, + אכל devour 1QH 1131, בוא come 1QH 1833.
  בְּתוֹךְ within, + ברא create 4QJuba 211 ([ברא] … בת[ווך תהומ]ות).
  תְּהוֹמוֹת without preposition, (to) the depths, + ירד go down Ps 107:26=4Q418b 13 (תהמו[ת]).
  <COLL> תְּהוֹם ‖ מַיִם waters Gn 1:2; Ps 77:17; + מַיִם Jb 38:30.
  ‖ עַיִן spring Dt 8:7, מַעְיָן spring Pr 8:24.
  ‖ יָם sea Ps 135:6; Jb 28:14; 1QH 515; 914; + יָם Is 51:10; 1QH 1115; 1QM 1013.
  ‖ אֶרֶץ earth Si 16:18; 1QH 914; + אֶרֶץ Ps 135:6; 4QapJosephb 130.
  ‖ לֵב heart Si 42:18.
  + מְצוּלָה depth Ex 15:5, מַעֲמְקֵּי־יָם depths of the sea Is 51:10, מֵי הַיָּם waters of the sea Ps 33:7, נִבְכֵי־יָם springs of the sea Jb 38:16, נבוכי מים springs of water 1QH 1115, זֶרֶם מַיִם downpour of waters Hb 3:10, נֹזְלִים flood Ex 15:8, נַחַל stream Dt 8:7, נָהָר river Ezk 31:4, 15; 1QM 1013.
  + חַר mountain Hb 3:10; Ps 36:7, תַּנִּין sea monster Ps 148:7, שַׁחַק skies Pr 3:20; 8:28; 1QH 1416, שְׁאוֹל Sheol 1QH 1833; 4QTobite 66 (תהו[ם]), אֲבַדּוֹן Abaddon 4QapJosephb 23 (אבדו[ן]).
  :: שָׁמַיִם heaven Gn 7:11=4QCommGenA 15; Gn 8:2; 49:25; Dt 33:13; Ps 107:26; 135:6; Pr 8:27; Si 16:18; 4QAdmon 1.14 (תהמו[ת]).
  תְּהוֹם … כִּסִּיתוֹ you covered it (the earth) … with the deep Ps 104:6.
  Also 4QInstrf1; 4QShirb 302; 376 4QFrags 37 232 (תהו[ם]) 6QDeut5; 11QPsApa 25 (תהו[ם]) 31 (התהומ[ות]).
  <SYN> מַיִם waters, עַיִן spring, מַעְיָן spring, יָם sea, אֶרֶץ earth, לֵב heart.
  <ANT> שָׁמַיִם heaven.


David J. A. Clines, ed., The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew (Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press; Sheffield Phoenix Press, 1993–2011), 593–594.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884024#Comment_884024

Justin Gatlin said:

Clicking on the lemma, then performing a Bible word study and looking at some of the better lexicons is usually the way to find out the history of a word.

Bible Word Studies have lemma section, which has lexicon links => New International Dictionary: Old and New Testament Theology (9 vols.)

Justin Gatlin said:

Not sure what "hume" is supposed to be. Can you give some more context on the point the person was making?

Could "hume" be a reference to Enuma ? as in Enuma Elish myth ?

Keep Smiling [:)]

Justin Gatlin

Mark Bishop said:

"Deep" in Genesis 1:2 is tehôm in greek.  Someone said that the word comes from "hume" (spelling wrong but it's how he pronounced it).  When I right click on "deep," I don't see any root only the lemma.

How do I find out the root or where tehôm comes from?

I think the answer is that your friend was wrong and needs to read this book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CZALQ1A/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

You can't make an interpretation from root words, especially when the root word is not the actual root word.

Veli Voipio

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884306#Comment_884306

The same book exists also in Logos format

 https://www.logos.com/product/6874/exegetical-fallacies-second-edition 

Justin Gatlin

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884329#Comment_884329

Veli Voipio said:

The same book exists also in Logos format

 https://www.logos.com/product/6874/exegetical-fallacies-second-edition 

And almost a 100% chance of going on sale next month!

DMB

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/884424#Comment_884424

Almost 100% chance .... that'd be 98%.  Hmmm ... I wonder why? Could it be D.A. playing (again) in the tournament?  Such a wild prediction.