Original Word: תְּמוֹל
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: tmowl
Pronunciation: te-mole
Phonetic Spelling: (tem-ole')
KJV: + before (-time), + these (three) days, + heretofore, + time past, yesterday
NASB: yesterday, formerly, past
Word Origin: [probably for H865 (אֶתמוֹל אִתמוֹל אֶתמוּל - Yesterday)]

1. (properly) ago, i.e. a (short or long) time since
2. especially yesterday, or (with H8032) day before yesterday

before time, these three days, heretofore, time past, yesterday

Or tmol {tem-ole'}; probably for 'ethmowl; properly, ago, i.e. A (short or long) time since; especially yesterday, or (with shilshowm) day before yesterday -- + before (-time), + these (three) days, + heretofore, + time past, yesterday.

see HEBREW 'ethmowl

see HEBREW shilshowm

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
yesterday, recently, formerly
NASB Translation
before* (3), beforehand* (1), formerly (2), formerly* (1), past (1), past* (2), previously* (9), recently* (1), times* (2), yesterday (4), yesterday* (1).

Overview

תְּמוֹל (temol) situates an action or attitude in the immediate past—“yesterday,” “recently,” or “formerly.” Whether appearing by itself or in the compound תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם (“yesterday or the day before”), the term marks the contrast between what was and what now is. In Scripture this small adverb frequently highlights changes in relationship, responsibility, or circumstance and, by doing so, invites the reader to trace God’s providence through time.

Narrative Scenes of Changed Relationship

• Genesis 31:2, 5 introduces the word’s relational force: “Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him was not the same as before” (31:2). “Yesterday” everything was cordial; today distrust fills the air. Temol exposes the fracture and propels Jacob’s flight—a reminder that God sometimes moves His servants through changed human favor.

• David’s encounters show similar shifts. Saul notes, “Why has the son of Jesse not come to the meal either yesterday or today?” (1 Samuel 20:27). The king’s suspicion contrasts with the innocence suggested by David’s prolonged absence. Later, Ittai is urged to turn back because he “came only yesterday” (2 Samuel 15:20), underscoring fresh loyalties tested by crisis.

Legal and Covenant Settings

In the Torah the term helps establish intent. Cities of refuge protect a manslayer who killed “without having hated him previously” (Deuteronomy 19:4, 6; cf. 4:42; Joshua 20:5). Justice demands evidence of enmity not just in the moment but in the “yesterday” behind it. Likewise, the goring ox legislation (Exodus 21:29, 36) distinguishes a first-time accident from a pattern “from yesterday and the day before,” shifting guilt from beast to owner. Temol thus safeguards life and property while affirming personal accountability.

Vocational Competence and Divine Enablement

Moses pleads, “I am not an eloquent man, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant” (Exodus 4:10). His “yesterday” of inability does not limit God’s present call. The word therefore highlights the gap between human deficiency and divine sufficiency, encouraging leaders to trust God’s empowerment rather than former experience.

Providence in Oppression and Deliverance

Pharaoh withdraws straw “as before” (Exodus 5:7–8, 14), turning yesterday’s provision into today’s punishment. Centuries later the Lord reverses Israel’s plight: “The LORD gave Israel a deliverer … so the Israelites dwelt in their homes as before” (2 Kings 13:5). The same adverb that once marked bondage now marks relief, underscoring God’s ability to restore what oppression removed.

Guidance Into Uncharted Territory

Before crossing the Jordan, Joshua tells Israel to stay back from the Ark, “for you have not traveled this way before” (Joshua 3:4). Temol highlights the novelty of the path and the necessity of divine leading. When the priests step out of the riverbed (Joshua 4:18), the adverb reappears, sealing the miracle’s memory of what the Lord had held back only moments earlier.

Covenant Leadership and National Memory

Abner reminds Israel’s elders, “For some time you have wanted David to be your king” (2 Samuel 3:17; cf. 1 Chronicles 11:2). The nation’s “yesterday” longing is a warrant for today’s action. Covenant history, once recalled, galvanizes obedience.

Human Frailty Versus Divine Permanence

Job laments, “We were born only yesterday and know nothing” (Job 8:9). Human existence is fleeting, yet God remains unchanged from everlasting to everlasting. Temol in this context humbles the reader, pushing dependence upon the One whose mercies “are new every morning.”

Ministry Implications

1. Discern transitional moments. When attitudes change “from yesterday,” ask how God is redirecting relationships or assignments.
2. Establish patterns before passing judgment. Biblical jurisprudence weighs an offender’s “former” behavior. Pastors and elders should do likewise.
3. Teach remembrance. Whether recounting deliverance or failure, Scripture ties discipleship to accurate memory of God’s dealings “yesterday.”
4. Encourage growth beyond prior limitations. Moses’ complaint illustrates that calling transcends yesterday’s weaknesses.
5. Cultivate humility. Awareness of our “yesterday” brevity fosters reliance on the eternal Lord who governs both past and future.

Thus תְּמוֹל, though a simple temporal marker, becomes a theological signpost: God is the unchanging Lord of every yesterday, actively shaping today and securing tomorrow for His people.

כִּתְמ֣וֹל כִּתְמ֥וֹל כִּתְמֹ֣ל כִתְמוֹל־ כתמול כתמול־ כתמל מִתְּמ֣וֹל מִתְּמ֥וֹל מִתְּמֹ֣ל מִתְּמֹ֥ל מִתְּמוֹל֙ מתמול מתמל תְּמ֖וֹל תְּמ֣וֹל תְּמ֣וֹל ׀ תְּמ֤וֹל תְּמ֥וֹל תְּמוֹל֙ תְמ֣וֹל תמול chitmol kiṯ·mō·wl ḵiṯ·mō·wl- kiṯ·mōl kitMol kiṯmōl kiṯmōwl ḵiṯmōwl- mit·tə·mō·wl mit·tə·mōl mittemOl mittəmōl mittəmōwl tə·mō·wl ṯə·mō·wl teMol təmōwl ṯəmōwlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts