from an unused root meaning to scratch; scurf (from itching); scab, scurvy.
Transliteration:gârâb
Pronunciation:gaw-rawb'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term גָּרָב (gârâb, `{{H1618}}`) derives from an unused root signifying "to scratch." This etymological root immediately points to the primary characteristic of the skin condition it describes: intense itching. The base definition expands upon this, identifying it as "scurf (from itching)," "scab," or "scurvy."
* **Scurf**: Refers to flaky skin, similar to dandruff, often associated with an itchy scalp or other skin areas. It implies a superficial, yet persistent, epidermal irritation.
* **Scab**: Denotes the crust that forms over a wound or sore during healing. This suggests a more pronounced lesion, indicative of a break in the skin's integrity, potentially from scratching or other trauma.
* **Scurvy**: While in modern medical terms scurvy is a specific vitamin C deficiency, in ancient contexts and biblical usage, this translation likely refers to a broader category of severe, chronic skin diseases characterized by lesions, discoloration, and general debilitation, often accompanied by itching and flaking. It represents a significant and visible skin affliction.
Collectively, גָּרָב (gârâb) encompasses a range of bothersome and disfiguring skin ailments that involve itching, flaking, and the formation of crusts or lesions, indicating a departure from healthy skin.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term גָּרָב (gârâb, `{{H1618}}`) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance carrying profound theological and social implications within its specific context.
* **[[Leviticus 21:20]]**: This passage lists various physical blemishes that disqualify a descendant of Aaron from serving as a priest and offering sacrifices to the Lord. Among these disqualifying defects is "a man with scabs or scurvy." The presence of גָּרָב (gârâb) renders a priest ritually impure and unfit to approach the altar. This does not imply moral failing on the part of the individual but underscores the divine demand for physical wholeness and perfection in those who minister in the sanctuary. The physical integrity of the priest was to reflect the holiness and perfection of God Himself, symbolizing an unblemished offering and an unblemished mediator.
* **[[Deuteronomy 28:27]]**: Here, גָּרָב (gârâb) appears as one of the dire curses pronounced upon Israel for disobedience to the covenant. "The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt, and with tumors, with scabs, and with itch, from which you cannot be healed." In this context, the skin condition is not a congenital blemish but a punitive affliction, a direct consequence of covenant infidelity. It is part of a series of severe, incurable diseases that God would inflict as a sign of His judgment and displeasure. The emphasis here is on the persistent, debilitating, and incurable nature of the affliction, serving as a tangible manifestation of divine wrath.
In both occurrences, גָּרָב (gârâb) signifies a serious physical imperfection or affliction that carries significant consequences, whether in the realm of sacred service or divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of גָּרָב (gârâb, `{{H1618}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **Skin Diseases in General**: The Bible frequently mentions various skin ailments, often grouped under broader categories. These include leprosy (צָרַעַת, *tsara'at*, `{{H6879}}`), boils (שְׁחִין, *shekhin*, `{{H7822}}`), and various forms of discharge (זָב, *zav*, `{{H2100}}`). Like גָּרָב (gârâb), these conditions often rendered individuals ritually impure and socially isolated, highlighting the importance of physical purity in ancient Israel.
* **Ritual Purity (טָהֳרָה, *tohorah*) and Impurity (טֻמְאָה, *tum'ah*)**: The Levitical context of גָּרָב (gârâb) places it squarely within the intricate system of ritual purity laws. Physical blemishes, discharges, and diseases were categories of *tum'ah* (impurity) that prevented access to sacred spaces and functions. This system was designed to teach Israel about the holiness of God and the need for separation from anything that defiled.
* **Wholeness (תָּמִים, *tamim*)**: The concept of *tamim* (`{{H8549}}`), meaning "complete," "whole," or "blameless," is central to understanding the priestly requirements. A priest was to be *tamim* in body, reflecting the perfection of God. Physical defects like גָּרָב (gârâb) represented a departure from this ideal of wholeness.
* **Divine Blessing and Curse**: The Deuteronomic context links גָּרָב (gârâb) to the broader theme of covenant faithfulness and its consequences. Health and well-being were seen as blessings for obedience, while disease and affliction were curses for disobedience, emphasizing God's active role in the affairs of His people.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of גָּרָב (gârâb, `{{H1618}}`) resonates across several key biblical themes:
* **Divine Holiness and the Demand for Purity**: In Leviticus, the disqualification of a priest with גָּרָב (gârâb) underscores God's absolute holiness. Those who draw near to Him in sacred service must reflect His unblemished nature. This physical requirement was not a judgment on the individual's moral character but a symbolic representation of the perfection and purity necessary for mediating between a holy God and His people. It teaches a profound truth about the sacred space and the reverence due to the Almighty.
* **Consequences of Covenant Disobedience**: In Deuteronomy, גָּרָב (gârâb) functions as a tangible manifestation of divine judgment. It highlights God's justice and His commitment to upholding the terms of His covenant. The incurable nature of such afflictions serves as a stark warning and a reminder that departure from God's ways leads to severe and debilitating consequences. It underscores the gravity of sin and the reality of divine retribution.
* **Human Vulnerability and Dependence**: The presence of debilitating skin conditions like גָּרָב (gârâb) serves as a potent reminder of human fragility and our utter dependence on God for health, well-being, and deliverance. It illustrates that physical soundness is a gift from the Creator, and its absence can be a powerful catalyst for seeking divine mercy.
* **Symbolism of Spiritual Condition**: While literally a physical ailment, biblical language often employs physical conditions to symbolize spiritual states. A persistent "scab" or "scurvy" could metaphorically represent a chronic, disfiguring spiritual flaw, the lingering effects of sin, or a state of spiritual impurity that separates one from God's full favor or service.
### Summary
The Hebrew term גָּרָב (gârâb, `{{H1618}}`) denotes a severe, itchy skin condition, encompassing scurf, scabs, and general chronic skin ailments. Its limited but significant occurrences in the biblical text reveal its dual theological significance. In [[Leviticus 21:20]], it functions as a physical blemish that disqualifies a priest from sacred service, emphasizing God's demand for physical wholeness and symbolic purity in His presence. In [[Deuteronomy 28:27]], it appears as a divine curse for covenant disobedience, illustrating the severe and debilitating consequences of forsaking God's commands. Thus, גָּרָב (gârâb) serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness, the necessity of purity in worship, the gravity of sin, and the tangible outworking of divine justice and judgment.
TRV