from the same as יֶרֶק; yellowishness; greenish, yellow.
Transliteration:yᵉraqraq
Pronunciation:yer-ak-rak'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) is a reduplicated form derived from the root yereq (`{{H3418}}`), which primarily signifies "green," "verdure," or "herbs." The reduplication in yᵉraqraq intensifies or modifies the base meaning, conveying a specific shade that is "greenish-yellow" or "yellowish-green." Unlike the vibrant, healthy green often associated with yereq (`{{H3418}}`), yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) denotes a faded, sickly, or abnormal hue, often implying decay, discoloration, or an unhealthy state. Its semantic range is tightly constrained by its biblical contexts, consistently pointing to an undesirable or defiling color.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) appears exclusively within the book of Leviticus, specifically in the detailed purity laws concerning tzara'at (`{{H6883}}`), a term often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a wider range of skin afflictions and mold/mildew in garments and houses.
* In [[Leviticus 13:49]], [[Leviticus 13:50]], and [[Leviticus 13:52]], yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) describes a spot or plague in a garment or article of leather. Here, it is consistently paired with ʾădamdam (`{{H122}}`), meaning "reddish." The presence of a "greenish" (yᵉraqraq) or "reddish" (ʾădamdam) spot indicates the defiling plague of tzara'at (`{{H6883}}`), which renders the item unclean and may necessitate its destruction by fire.
* Similarly, in [[Leviticus 14:37]], yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) is used to describe "greenish or reddish depressions" (šəqaʿărūrōt yᵉraqraqōt ʾō ʾădamdammōt) on the walls of a house afflicted with tzara'at (`{{H6883}}`). This discoloration is a diagnostic sign of a spreading, defiling impurity within the dwelling.
In every instance, yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) functions as a diagnostic color, signaling the presence of an impurity that requires priestly examination and ritual action. It is never used to describe natural, healthy colors, but rather pathological or defiling ones. The pairing with ʾădamdam (`{{H122}}`) suggests a spectrum of abnormal hues associated with ritual uncleanness.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **yereq (`{{H3418}}`)**: The base word meaning "green" or "vegetation." While yereq often denotes healthy, flourishing plant life (e.g., [[Genesis 1:30]], [[Numbers 22:4]]), yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) represents a departure from this vibrant state, indicating a sickly or abnormal shade.
* **tzara'at (`{{H6883}}`)**: The overarching term for the defiling condition that yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) helps to diagnose. This broad category of afflictions, both on persons and objects, is central to the Levitical purity system.
* **ṭāmēʾ (`{{H2930}}`)**: "Unclean" or "impure." The presence of yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) immediately renders the affected person, garment, or house ṭāmēʾ (`{{H2930}}`), necessitating separation and prescribed rituals for purification or destruction.
* **ʾădamdam (`{{H122}}`)**: "Reddish." This word is almost always found in conjunction with yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`), indicating a common category of discolored signs of tzara'at (`{{H6883}}`).
### Theological Significance
The precise use of yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) within the Levitical purity codes carries profound theological weight. It underscores the meticulous nature of God's holiness and His demand for purity within the covenant community. The "greenish-yellow" hue, alongside "reddish" (ʾădamdam `{{H122}}`), serves as a tangible, visible manifestation of an invisible spiritual or ritual defilement.
This specific coloration, indicative of decay or disease, highlights the pervasive nature of impurity, which can affect not only individuals but also their possessions and even their dwelling places. The divine instructions regarding tzara'at (`{{H6883}}`) were not merely hygienic but deeply theological, emphasizing that a holy God dwells in the midst of a holy people, and anything that compromises that holiness must be identified and dealt with.
The priestly role in discerning these colors underscores the importance of mediation and discernment in maintaining the sacred boundaries of the covenant. The priest's judgment, based on these visible signs, determined the appropriate response—isolation, cleansing, or destruction—all aimed at restoring or preserving purity in the community and its environment, thereby safeguarding the presence of God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) denotes a specific "greenish-yellow" or "yellowish-green" hue, derived from the word for "green" (`{{H3418}}`). Its biblical usage is exclusively confined to the Levitical purity laws, where it functions as a diagnostic sign of tzara'at (`{{H6883}}`)—a defiling condition affecting skin, garments, or houses. Consistently paired with ʾădamdam (`{{H122}}`) ("reddish"), yᵉraqraq (`{{H3422}}`) signifies an abnormal, unhealthy discoloration indicative of decay, disease, or ritual impurity. Theologically, its presence highlights God's meticulous concern for holiness, the tangible manifestation of spiritual defilement, and the vital role of the priesthood in discerning and addressing such matters to maintain the purity of the covenant people and their sacred space. It stands in stark contrast to the vibrant green of healthy creation, pointing instead to a state requiring ritual intervention and separation.
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