from דָּכָה like דַּכָּא; mutilated; [phrase] wounded.
Transliteration:dakkâh
Pronunciation:dak-kaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun dakkâh (`{{H1795}}`) derives from the verbal root dâkâh (`{{H1792}}`), which fundamentally means "to crush," "to break in pieces," or "to be shattered." dakkâh specifically describes the resultant state of being "mutilated" or "severely wounded." It denotes a profound physical impairment, often implying disfigurement or incapacitation caused by a crushing or breaking force. The nuance is not merely a superficial injury, but a deep and often permanent blemish to physical integrity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term dakkâh (`{{H1795}}`) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, found in the book of Leviticus.
* **[[Leviticus 22:24]]**: "You shall not offer to the Lord what is bruised, or crushed, or torn, or cut; nor shall you make any offering of them in your land."
In this passage, dakkâh is part of a list of physical defects that render an animal unacceptable for sacrifice to Yahweh. The context is the meticulous regulations concerning the purity and perfection of sacrificial offerings. An animal that is dakkâh (mutilated/wounded) is explicitly prohibited from being presented at the altar. This prohibition underscores God's demand for unblemished offerings, which served as a tangible symbol of His own absolute holiness and the spiritual perfection required of those who approach Him in worship. The physical integrity of the sacrifice mirrored the spiritual integrity expected from the worshiper.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its verbal root, dâkâh (`{{H1792}}`), which is used more broadly to describe being crushed, broken, or contrite, often in a metaphorical sense referring to the spirit or heart (e.g., [[Psalm 34:18]], [[Isaiah 53:5]]). Another related noun is dakkâʼ (`{{H1794}}`), which also signifies something "crushed" or "broken," sometimes in the sense of one who is contrite or oppressed.
In the context of Levitical purity laws, dakkâh (`{{H1795}}`) is a specific type of mûm (`{{H3971}}`, "blemish" or "defect") that disqualifies an animal from being an acceptable offering. Other related terms in these laws describe various physical deformities or imperfections that render an animal unfit for sacrifice. The broader concept is the requirement for wholeness, perfection, and purity in all aspects of approaching God, whether through offerings, priestly service, or personal conduct.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of dakkâh (`{{H1795}}`) in [[Leviticus 22:24]] carries significant theological weight. It profoundly illustrates God's absolute holiness and His demand for perfection in worship. An offering to God was to be the very best, given without reservation or defect, reflecting the worshiper's devotion and God's own unblemished character. A mutilated or wounded animal was inherently imperfect and thus an inadequate representation of the worshiper's best or of God's perfect nature.
This requirement for an unblemished offering serves as a crucial foreshadowing of the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As the "Lamb of God" (cf. [[John 1:29]]), He was "without blemish and without spot" (cf. [[1 Peter 1:19]]), thereby fulfilling and transcending the Old Testament sacrificial requirements. While Christ endured immense physical suffering and was indeed "wounded for our transgressions" (cf. [[Isaiah 53:5]]), His sacrifice was spiritually and morally perfect, rendering Him the only acceptable and efficacious offering for sin. The concept of "crushing" from the root dâkâh (`{{H1792}}`) also resonates deeply with the suffering servant passages in Isaiah, where the servant is "crushed for our iniquities" ([[Isaiah 53:5]]), highlighting the profound suffering inherent in atonement. Thus, dakkâh (`{{H1795}}`) stands as a stark reminder of the purity God demands and the ultimate perfection found only in Christ's atoning work.
### Summary
dakkâh (`{{H1795}}`) is a Hebrew noun derived from the root dâkâh (`{{H1792}}`), signifying a state of being "mutilated" or "severely wounded" due to a crushing or breaking action. Its sole biblical appearance is in [[Leviticus 22:24]], where it describes an animal unfit for sacrificial offering to Yahweh because of its physical imperfection. This prohibition underscores God's demand for unblemished offerings, reflecting His holiness and the purity required in worship. Theologically, dakkâh (`{{H1795}}`) foreshadows the perfect, unblemished sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, though wounded for humanity's transgressions, was Himself without blemish, thereby fulfilling the ultimate requirement for atonement and providing the perfect sacrifice.
TRV