tohu

Tohu is a Hebrew term, written as תֹהוּ, that is commonly translated as "formlessness," "emptiness," or "waste." In biblical Hebrew, it denotes a chaotic, unformed state or a desolate place, often used to contrast with order and creation.

The best-known use is in the phrase tohu va-bohu, found in Genesis 1:2, which describes the Earth as being in a state of formlessness and emptiness before God begins the work of creation. This expression has shaped much of creation theology by presenting a transition from chaos to an ordered cosmos.

Etymology and usage: Tohu derives from a Semitic root associated with desolation or waste. It appears in various biblical passages beyond Genesis, sometimes referring to wilderness, ruins, or desolate conditions. The sense is typically one of futility, emptiness, or lack of form.

In theology and interpretation, tohu is often discussed in the context of creation ex nihilo or creation from preexisting matter. Many scholars and commentators view the term as illustrating the divine act of imposing order on chaos, a central theme in Jewish and Christian exegesis of the creation narrative.

Modern usage: In academic biblical studies, tohu is treated as a technical term for primordial chaos. Outside scholarly contexts, the term is less common, though the concept of "formlessness and void" continues to appear in translations and theological discussions of Genesis.

See also: Tohu vavohu; Genesis creation narrative.