Lexical Summary
tuach: To coat, plaster, overlay
Original Word:טוּחַ
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:tuwach
Pronunciation:too'-akh
Phonetic Spelling:(too'-akh)
KJV: daub, overlay, plaister, smut
NASB:plaster it over, replastered, overlay, plastered, plastered it over, plastered over, plasterers
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to smear, especially with lime
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
daub, overlay, plaster, smut
A primitive root; to smear, especially with lime -- daub, overlay, plaister, smut.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto overspread, overlay, coat, besmear
NASB Translationoverlay (1), plaster it over (2), plastered (1), plastered it over (1), plastered over (1), plasterers (1), replaster (1), replastered (2), smeared (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (Late Hebrew
id.; compare Arabic
re foeda contaminatus fuit, or
contaminavit;
camel
smeared with tar); —
Perfect3masculine singular consecutiveLeviticus 14:42 (onIsaiah 44:18 see ); 3 pluralExodus 22:28;Ezekiel 13:12,14Infinitive construct1 Chronicles 29:4;Participle pluralEzekiel 13:10 2t.; constructEzekiel 13:11; only P, Ezekiel, Chronicles; —over-spread, coat (with accusative of house) with earth (clay, )Leviticus 14:42;over-lay (walls with gold and silver) with accusative of wall1 Chronicles 29:4; metaphor of coating over Jerusalem, under figure of a wall, with a superficial coating, to hide its real weaknessEzekiel 13:15 (accusative of wall),Ezekiel 13:12 with accusative of coating (); with (q. v.)Ezekiel 13:11; c. 2accusativeEzekiel 13:10;Ezekiel 13:14;Ezekiel 13:15; compareEzekiel 22:28 where suffix reference to oppressive nobles, i.e. the prophets 'whitewash' for them (their evil deeds).
Infinitive constructbe coated (with )Leviticus 14:43; and, fully,Leviticus 14:48 (both P).
[] — only
Perfect3masculine singularIsaiah 44:18their eyes have been besmeared so that they do not see, see Di Du, and on singular with subject plural Ges§ 145, 7a; others regard as metaplastic pointing for from , see Sta§ 385d.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of Biblical UsageThe verb טוּחַ appears twelve times and consistently pictures the act of coating a surface—whether with mortar, precious metal, or symbolic “whitewash.” In every context, the covering communicates far more than a building technique; it exposes issues of purity, authenticity, and spiritual integrity before the LORD.
Construction and Ritual Purity –Leviticus 14:42-48
In the laws governing mildew, טוּחַ describes the priest-directed replastering of a contaminated house. The procedure illustrated three truths:
1. Restoration required complete removal of corruption (“replace the contaminated ones … replaster the house,”Leviticus 14:42).
2. External repair was never enough; the priest had to re-examine the house after the new coating (Leviticus 14:48).
3. The home—Israel’s private sphere—was still subject to divine holiness. The act of replastering dramatized cleansing and renewal granted by the LORD, anticipating the deeper cleansing fulfilled in the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:13-14).
Royal Building Projects –1 Chronicles 29:4
David’s dedication of “three thousand talents of gold … to overlay the walls of the buildings” shows טוּחַ applied to worship infrastructure. The overlay of gold on temple walls:
• Demonstrated the king’s wholehearted devotion.
• Signified that only the finest covering was fitting for the place where God’s glory would dwell.
• Foreshadowed the heavenly dwelling where “the city was pure gold” (Revelation 21:18).
Idolatry and Spiritual Blindness –Isaiah 44:18
Regarding idol-makers, “He has shut their eyes so they cannot see”. The verb behind “shut” (טוּחַ) evokes a smearing over of eyesight. The false worshiper’s spiritual senses are metaphorically plastered shut—an ironic reversal of Leviticus, where plaster facilitated cleansing. Here it seals in deception, underscoring that idolatry darkens understanding (Romans 1:21-23).
Denunciation of False Prophets –Ezekiel 13:10-15
Ezekiel repeatedly condemns prophets who “plaster it with whitewash.” They erect a flimsy wall of lies and then coat it to appear sound:
• “When a flimsy wall is built they plaster it with whitewash” (Ezekiel 13:10).
• Divine judgment will expose both wall and coating: “I will tear down the wall you have plastered with whitewash … and you will know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 13:14-15).
The vivid imagery contrasts superficial assurances of “Peace” with the LORD’s certain verdict. טוּחַ thus becomes a symbol of religious hypocrisy—externally impressive yet structurally doomed.
Systemic Corruption –Ezekiel 22:28
In a broader social indictment, “Her prophets plaster for them with whitewash, seeing false visions and divining lies.” Here the verb describes leaders who conceal national sin rather than confront it, allowing injustice to proliferate. Judgment falls not only on the false coat but on the underlying corruption the coat is meant to hide.
Theological Reflections
1. True Covering: Scripture elsewhere celebrates coverings provided by God—atoning blood, priestly garments, even the mercy seat. טוּחַ warns that only coverings ordained by God endure.
2. Revelation versus Concealment: When God commands a coating (Leviticus 14;1 Chronicles 29), it manifests holiness. When humans apply it to mask sin (Ezekiel 13; 22), it provokes wrath.
3. Eschatological Exposure: The recurring promise “you will know that I am the LORD” signals a coming day when every deceptive veneer will crumble (1 Corinthians 3:13).
Ministry Applications
• Pastoral care must address root issues, not merely cosmetic change.
• Teaching should proclaim genuine peace in Christ, refusing to “whitewash” sin with empty reassurances.
• Church leaders are stewards of sacred spaces—physical and spiritual—and must ensure that what is overlaid upon God’s house reflects His glory, not human vanity.
• Personal discipleship calls believers to invite the Spirit’s searching gaze, welcoming the cleansing that endures rather than the coverings that crack under trial.
Summary
From houses under inspection to walls of deceptive prophecy, טוּחַ confronts readers with the choice between authentic, God-approved covering and the fragile façade of human pretension. The gospel reveals the only lasting overlay: the righteousness of Christ imputed to repentant sinners—an enduring coat never destined to crumble.
Forms and Transliterations
הִטֹּ֣חַ הִטּֽוֹחַ׃ הַטָּחִ֥ים הטוח׃ הטח הטחים וְטָ֥ח וּבַטָּחִ֥ים ובטחים וטח טַ֤ח טַחְתֶּ֥ם טַחְתֶּֽם׃ טָח֤וּ טָחִ֥ים טָחֵ֥י טח טחו טחי טחים טחתם טחתם׃ לָט֖וּחַ לטוח haṭ·ṭā·ḥîm hattaChim haṭṭāḥîm hiṭ·ṭō·aḥ hiṭ·ṭō·w·aḥ hitToach hiṭṭōaḥ hiṭṭōwaḥ lā·ṭū·aḥ laTuach lāṭūaḥ ṭā·ḥê ṭā·ḥîm ṭā·ḥū tach taChei taChim tachTem taChu ṭaḥ ṭaḥ·tem ṭāḥê ṭāḥîm ṭaḥtem ṭāḥū ū·ḇaṭ·ṭā·ḥîm ūḇaṭṭāḥîm uvattaChim veTach wə·ṭāḥ wəṭāḥ
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