Bohu

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Refers to a state of formlessness and emptiness, chaos before order was imposed on the world as described in Genesis
2. The primordial void or disorder of the earth before creation, a formless and confused state with no structure
3. A chaotic, empty, shapeless condition, most often used for the unformed earth described at the start of the Hebrew Bible

Etymology: In the opening verse of Genesis, the earth is described as "tohu va-bohu," a pair of Hebrew words rendered in older English translations as "without form, and void." The second word, "bohu," means something like emptiness or vacancy, and on its own it is rarely met outside that verse and its echoes. The pairing works through rhyme and repetition, a common Hebrew device for emphasis, so the two words reinforce each other rather than adding distinct meanings. English speakers mostly know the combined phrase, "tohu-bohu," which has moved from describing the primordial void to describing confusion, turmoil, or a noisy jumble of activity. The word itself stays fixed in that phrase, while the sense has shifted from cosmic emptiness to everyday chaos.

Synonyms: chaos, confusion, tumult, disorder

Antonyms: order, harmony