### 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.
TRV