Who or what is Tohu in the Bible?

Ancient Context: Tohu

⚡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)

Tohu is a Hebrew noun denoting emptiness, waste, or chaos, appearing in Genesis 1:2 to describe the earth as formless and void before God's creative acts.

What is the meaning of Tohu in the Bible?

Tohu is a Hebrew noun denoting emptiness, waste, or chaos, appearing in Genesis 1:2 to describe the earth as formless and void before God's creative acts.

TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the meaning of tohu helps readers grasp the biblical contrast between the initial chaotic state of creation and the ordered world established through divine command, emphasizing the theological theme of order emerging from disorder.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Tohu functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Tohu in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Tohu clarify?

Scripture Passages Mentioned: Genesis 1:2

Source Attribution & Provenance

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Tohu." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/tohu/
        

Tohu