תָּמִיד

From the study of Isaiah 49:16

Range of meaning

Continuity, regularity. As an adverb it means 'continually, always, regularly'. As a noun it names the regular daily offering (the tāmîd, offered morning and evening). Elsewhere in worship it describes things meant never to stop: the lamp that keeps burning, the bread always set out before God.

Against the English

'Continually' (KJV, WEB, YLT) and 'ever' (BSB) both work. 'Ever before me' is a little more poetic, while 'continually' better keeps the sense of something that never stops.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 27:20 (lamp to burn tāmîd); Exod 29:38–42 and Num 28:3–6 (the regular burnt offering); Num 4:7 (the bread that is always there). In Isaiah 40–66 the word answers itself: 'you live in dread continually' (51:13), 'my name is continually blasphemed' (52:5), 'the LORD will guide you continually' (58:11), 'your gates will always stand open' (60:11).

From the study of Proverbs 28:14

Range of meaning

'Continuity': continually, regularly, perpetually. It often describes things done on a fixed, unbroken schedule, such as the daily burnt offering (ʿōlat tāmîd, Num 28:3), the lamp (Exod 27:20) and the bread of the Presence (Num 4:7). Later Judaism simply called the daily sacrifice 'the Tamid'.

Against the English

'Always' (BSB, WEB) and 'alway' (KJV) are fine. 'Continually' (YLT) captures the sense of a regular rhythm a little better.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used with the same verb in Isa 51:13. Common in priestly texts and the Psalms (Ps 16:8 'I have set the LORD before me tāmîd').

From the study of Psalm 16:8

Range of meaning

Continuity: continually, regularly, always. Used both for unbroken duration and for something repeated at fixed times. As a noun it names the tamid, the 'regular' daily burnt offering made morning and evening (Exod 29:38–42; Num 28:3–6), and the lamp kept burning tamid (Exod 27:20). Bread was also set out 'regularly' (Exod 25:30).

Against the English

'Always' (BSB, KJV) and 'continually' (YLT, NASB) are both fine. 'Always' can sound like a feeling that never fades. The Hebrew word leans toward faithful regular practice, the sort of thing done every morning and evening.

Used elsewhere in the period

The word is common in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers for the regular sanctuary service. In the Mishnah, Tamid is the name of the tractate describing the daily offering.