### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun כְּוִיָּה (kᵉvîyâh, `{{H3555}}`) is derived from the verbal root כָּוָה (kâvâ, `{{H3554}}`), which signifies "to burn," "to be burned," or "to brand." As a noun, kᵉvîyâh refers to the *result* of such an action: a burn, a branding, or the indelible mark left by intense heat. Its semantic range is thus tightly focused on the physical injury or scar caused by fire or a hot object. It denotes a distinct, often permanent, mark on the skin.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כְּוִיָּה (kᵉvîyâh, `{{H3555}}`) appears twice in the Masoretic Text, both instances occurring within the detailed purity laws of Leviticus concerning skin diseases:
* [[Leviticus 13:24]]: "Or if there is in the skin of the body a burn (כְּוִיָּה) by fire, and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white or white..." Here, the word explicitly denotes a wound caused by fire. The context is the priestly examination of skin conditions to determine if they constitute *tsara'at* (often translated as "leprosy"), a severe ritual impurity. The burn mark itself is not inherently impure, but its transformation into a suspicious discoloration necessitates priestly scrutiny.
* [[Leviticus 13:28]]: "But if the bright spot remains in its place and has not spread in the skin, it is the inflammation of the burn (כְּוִיָּה); and the priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is a scar from the burn." This verse continues the discussion, clarifying that if the suspicious mark on the burn does not spread, it is merely the natural scarring or inflammation resulting from the burn, and the individual is declared ritually clean.
In both occurrences, kᵉvîyâh functions as a technical term within the Mosaic Law, referring to a specific type of skin lesion—a burn—that required careful discernment by the priest to distinguish it from the ritually defiling *tsara'at*. The focus is on the physical mark and its potential implications for an individual's ritual status within the community.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root Verb:** The most direct relation is to its root verb כָּוָה (kâvâ, `{{H3554}}`), meaning "to burn" or "to brand." This verb highlights the action that produces the kᵉvîyâh.
* **Other Terms for Burning/Fire:**
* אֵשׁ (esh, `{{H784}}`): The general Hebrew word for "fire."
* שָׂרַף (saraph, `{{H8313}}`): A common verb for "to burn," often used in the context of sacrifice or destruction by fire.
* צָרַב (tsarab, `{{H6867}}`): "To scorch" or "to blister," another verb related to the effect of heat.
* **Concepts:**
* **Purity Laws:** kᵉvîyâh is embedded in the extensive purity legislation of Leviticus, which governed the ritual cleanliness of the Israelites.
* **Priestly Examination:** The role of the priest in diagnosing skin conditions, including those arising from a burn, underscores the importance of authorized discernment within the covenant community.
* **Physical Blemish/Mark:** The word speaks to physical imperfections or injuries, and how they were addressed within a sacred framework. The idea of a permanent "mark" or "branding" can also subtly evoke concepts of identification or indelible status, though not directly applied in these specific verses.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כְּוִיָּה (kᵉvîyâh, `{{H3555}}`) is primarily derived from its context within the Levitical purity laws.
1. **Divine Concern for Wholeness and Purity:** The inclusion of common injuries like burns within the detailed regulations demonstrates God's comprehensive concern for the physical well-being and ritual purity of His people. Even seemingly mundane afflictions were brought under the divine gaze, underscoring the holistic nature of God's covenant with Israel. A holy people were to be holy in all aspects, including their physical state.
2. **The Importance of Discernment:** The requirement for priestly examination of a kᵉvîyâh highlights the crucial role of discernment within the community of faith. Not every physical mark was a sign of ritual impurity; careful, Spirit-guided judgment was necessary to distinguish between a natural inflammation or scar and a condition that rendered one defiled. This principle extends to spiritual discernment, where believers are called to rightly divide truth from error, and to understand the true nature of conditions that might appear similar.
3. **Holiness in Everyday Life:** The fact that the Law addresses such specific, everyday occurrences as a burn mark reveals the pervasive nature of God's desire for holiness. It was not merely confined to the tabernacle or major festivals but permeated the daily lives and physical bodies of the Israelites, teaching them that their entire existence was to be lived in conscious awareness of God's presence and standards.
### Summary
כְּוִיָּה (kᵉvîyâh, `{{H3555}}`) is a Hebrew noun meaning "a burning" or "a branding," derived from the verb כָּוָה (kâvâ, `{{H3554}}`). Its two occurrences in [[Leviticus 13:24]] and [[Leviticus 13:28]] refer specifically to a burn mark on the skin that required examination by a priest. This examination was crucial for distinguishing a common injury from the ritual impurity of *tsara'at*. Theologically, kᵉvîyâh underscores God's meticulous concern for the physical and ritual purity of His covenant people, the vital role of priestly discernment in maintaining that purity, and the comprehensive reach of God's Law into every facet of daily life, even addressing common physical ailments within a framework of holiness. It signifies a physical mark with significant implications for an individual's standing within the holy community.
TRV