מטומא
metuma
The Hebrew word for 'defiled' is מטומא (metuma).
The term מטומא is primarily used in a ritual or religious context to describe someone or something that is ritually impure according to Jewish law. It is important to note that while it can mean 'defiled' or 'impure', it is distinct from words meaning 'physically dirty' (such as לכלוך), as it specifically refers to ritual impurity.
Meaning: impure, dirty (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form טָמֵא is a formal way to express 'defiled' in Hebrew.
How do you pronounce it?
metuma
Did you know?
- In a modern context, calling someone מטומא might be misunderstood as an insult to their character or intelligence, rather than a reference to ritual status.
- To transition from being מטומא back to a state of ritual purity, a person traditionally had to immerse themselves in a מִקְוֶה, a ritual bath of natural water.
- In ancient texts, certain natural objects like certain types of food or even certain animals could cause a person to become מטומא simply by contact.
Example conversation
Maya and Ido are discussing a ritual purity rule.
- עידו Idoאני יכול להיכנס לחדר?ani yachol le-hikanes la-cheder?Can I enter the room?
- מאיה Mayaלא, החדר הזה מטומא עכשיו.lo, ha-cheder ha-ze metuma achshav.No, this room is defiled now.
- עידו Idoמתי הוא יהיה נקי שוב?matay hu yihiye naki shuv?When will it be clean again?
- מאיה Mayaאחרי הטקס מחר בבוקר.acharey ha-tekes machar ba-boker.After the ceremony tomorrow morning.
