דַּכָּה

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dakkâh, represented by H1795, is a very specific term that means to be mutilated or wounded. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible, indicating its narrow and technical application within the text. Its definition points to a state of being physically damaged or disfigured.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical use of H1795 is found in a legal ruling in the book of Deuteronomy. The law states that a man who is wounded in a specific manner is excluded from "the congregation of the LORD" Deuteronomy 23:1. The term is used to describe a disqualifying physical injury, appearing alongside the phrase "hath his privy member cut off" to emphasize a severe and permanent state of mutilation.

Related Words & Concepts

Two related words found in the same verse help to clarify the context and meaning of dakkâh:

• H6481 pâtsaʻ (wound): This root word, meaning to split or wound, is used directly with H1795 in Deuteronomy 23:1. The combination of these terms describes the nature of the injury as a significant wound. It also appears in other contexts where someone is physically struck and wounded (Song of Solomon 5:7, 1 Kings 20:37).
• H3772 kârath (to cut (off, down or asunder)): This word appears in the same law in Deuteronomy 23:1 to describe a member being "cut off." It provides a parallel example of the kind of physical condition that leads to exclusion from the congregation, reinforcing the theme of bodily mutilation.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H1795 is tied directly to the Old Testament concept of ritual purity and wholeness.

• Congregational Boundaries: The law in Deuteronomy 23:1 uses the condition described by dakkâh to establish a boundary for who could enter the formal "congregation of the LORD." This suggests that a standard of physical integrity was required for certain forms of participation in the community's sacred assembly.
• Symbolic Wholeness: The prohibition highlights a principle where physical completeness could be seen as a symbol of one's fitness to enter a sacred space. The injury denoted by H1795 represented a state that was considered incompatible with this standard for the assembly.

Summary

In summary, H1795 is a rare and precise term for being wounded or mutilated. Its sole appearance in Deuteronomy 23:1 is a key part of a law that defines physical requirements for inclusion in the formal assembly of Israel. Though limited in use, dakkâh offers a clear insight into Old Testament laws regarding physical wholeness and its connection to participation in the religious life of the community.