a primitive root; properly, to prick or penetrate; hence, to blister (as smarting or eating into); burn.
Transliteration:kâvâh
Pronunciation:kaw-vaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H3554, *kâvâh* (כָּוָה), is a primitive root whose core meaning denotes the action of "pricking" or "penetrating." From this foundational sense, it extends semantically to describe the effect of such penetration, specifically the formation of a "blister" or a "burn." This suggests a physical injury that pierces or damages the surface, leading to a visible and often painful mark. The emphasis is less on the act of burning itself (as with fire, `{{H784}}`) and more on the resulting lesion or scar, the visible evidence of the injury. It implies a lasting mark, a "scab" or "scar tissue" formed from the initial burn.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H3554 are notably limited within the Hebrew Bible, appearing exclusively in the book of Leviticus, specifically within the detailed regulations concerning ritual purity and the diagnosis of skin diseases.
* [[Leviticus 13:24]]: "Or if there be any flesh, in the skin whereof there is a hot burning, and the quick flesh that hath the burning become a white, reddish spot, or a white spot." Here, *kâvâh* refers to the "burning" itself, the initial injury that leaves a mark.
* [[Leviticus 13:25]]: "Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the hair in the bright spot be turned white, and it be in sight deeper than the skin; it is a leprosy broken out of the burning: he hath a burning, and it is a plague of leprosy." Again, "burning" refers to the source of the mark being examined.
* [[Leviticus 13:28]]: "And if there be in the bald spot of the forehead, or bald spot of the head, a white reddish spot, it is a leprosy breaking forth out of the bald spot of the head." While the KJV translates "breaking forth," the underlying Hebrew root is still kâvâh, referring to a mark or scab from a burn, which is then re-examined.
In these contexts, *kâvâh* consistently refers to a specific type of skin lesion: a mark or scab resulting from a burn. This "mark of the burning" (mikvat-eish) becomes a critical diagnostic sign for the priest in discerning whether the individual has a ritually unclean skin disease, often associated with *tsāraʿaṯ* (`{{H6879}}`, commonly translated "leprosy"). The focus is on the *aftermath* of the burn – the blister, scab, or scar – as a potential indicator of a deeper, more serious condition requiring priestly intervention and separation. This highlights the meticulous nature of the Mosaic Law regarding physical health and its direct link to ritual purity within the community.
### Related Words & Concepts
The word *kâvâh* intersects with several related lexical and conceptual fields:
* **Words for "Burning" or "Fire":** While kâvâh specifically denotes the *effect* or *mark* of a burn, other Hebrew words describe the act or agent of burning. These include `{{H8316}}` (*śāraph*), a general term for burning or consuming by fire; `{{H6705}}` (*tsārab*), to scorch or be parched; and `{{H3344}}` (*yāqaḏ*), to kindle or burn. The noun `{{H784}}` (*ʾēš*) refers to fire itself. *Kâvâh* stands out by focusing on the resultant physical lesion rather than the destructive force.
* **Words for "Skin Disease" or "Blemish":** The primary context for *kâvâh* is the diagnosis of skin conditions. Key related terms include `{{H6879}}` (*tsāraʿaṯ*), the overarching term for various severe skin afflictions; `{{H5061}}` (*negaʿ*), a "stroke" or "plague," often referring to a skin lesion or mark that requires priestly examination; and `{{H1254}}` (*baheret*), a "bright spot" on the skin, another diagnostic sign. The "mark of the burning" (mikvat-eish) is one specific type of *negaʿ* that the priest must evaluate.
* **Concept of Purity and Impurity:** The entire discourse in Leviticus 13, where *kâvâh* is found, revolves around the fundamental biblical distinction between clean and unclean, pure and impure. Physical blemishes, particularly those that might indicate *tsāraʿaṯ*, rendered an individual ritually impure, necessitating separation from the community until cleansed.
### Theological Significance
The specific and limited use of *kâvâh* in Leviticus 13 carries significant theological weight:
* **Divine Concern for Holiness and Purity:** The meticulous regulations surrounding skin conditions, including the "mark of the burning," underscore God's profound concern for the physical and ritual purity of His covenant people. This physical purity was not merely hygienic but deeply symbolic of their spiritual holiness and separation unto the Lord. Anything that marred the body, especially a potentially infectious or defiling condition, was seen as a threat to the community's sanctity.
* **The Role of Priestly Discernment:** The examination of the *kâvâh* mark highlights the crucial role of the priesthood in discerning between clean and unclean. The priest's careful observation and pronouncement were essential for maintaining the purity of the camp. This physical discernment serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual discernment, the ability to distinguish between what is holy and what is profane, what is true and what is false.
* **Consequences of Imperfection and the Need for Separation:** While the "burn" itself is a physical accident, the resulting mark, if it showed signs of *tsāraʿaṯ*, led to ritual impurity. This illustrates a broader theological principle: imperfection, whether physical or spiritual, can have consequences that necessitate separation from the holy community until restoration is possible. It points to the seriousness with which God views anything that compromises His holy standards.
* **God's Order and Law as Protective:** The detailed laws, including those pertaining to *kâvâh*, were not arbitrary but served to protect the health and spiritual integrity of Israel. They provided a framework for living in a way that honored God's holiness and preserved the well-being of the community.
### Summary
The Hebrew word *kâvâh* (H3554) denotes a "burn," "blister," or more precisely, the "mark" or "scab" resulting from a penetrating burn. Its rare occurrences are exclusively found in [[Leviticus 13]], where it describes a specific type of skin lesion, the "mark of the burning" (mikvat-eish), which priests were required to examine as a potential sign of ritual impurity, particularly *tsāraʿaṯ*. This word, though limited in its usage, profoundly illustrates several theological principles: God's meticulous concern for the physical and ritual purity of His people, the vital role of priestly discernment in maintaining the community's holiness, and the necessity of separating anything that defiles. Thus, *kâvâh* serves as a potent reminder of the detailed and comprehensive nature of God's Law, designed to foster a holy and healthy covenant relationship with His people.
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