There are many times when the word torn is used in the Bible. That’s why I wanted to look up what the word torn means in Hebrew and Greek.
All scriptures are taken from NKJV unless otherwise marked.
What Does The Word ‘Torn’ Mean In Hebrew?
gazal – to strip or rob.
taraph- to pluck; pull to pieces.
terephah- torn, prey.
cuwchah- filth.
shabar- to burst.
Shabar is the common word for breaking things. It’s used to describe the breaking of:
- earthen vessels (Judges 7:20)
- bows (Hosea 1:5)
- doors (Genesis 19:9)
- swords (Hosea 2:18)
- bones (Exodus 12:46)
- yokes or bonds (Jeremiah 28:10)
Figuratively, it can be used to describe a shattered heart or emotions.
“Reproach has broken my heart,
And I am full of heaviness;
I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none;
And for comforters, but I found none.“
– Psalms 69:20
Also, this word can be used intensively such as for shattering something. Shabar is used in this sense to speak of the shattering of:
- the tablets of the Law (Exodus 32:19)
- idol images (2 Kings 11:18)
- trees by hail (Exodus 9:25)
Related: What Does The Word ‘Just’ Mean In Hebrew And Greek?
What Does The Word ‘Torn’ Mean In Greek?
sparasso- to convulse with epilepsy.
“And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.”
– Luke 9:39
Conclusion
As you probably guessed, the word torn hasn’t changed much since biblical days. Although I did not know that a word that can be translated into torn was once used to describe someone suffering from an epilepsy attack.
Anyway, that’s what the word torn means in Hebrew and Greek. I pray you found this article helpful. If so, please share this content. Also, feel free to share any thoughts in the comments below. As always, thanks for reading!
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