The Hebrew word kᵉvîyâh, represented by H3555, is a highly specific term for a branding or burning. According to usage statistics, it appears only 2 times within 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, indicating a very narrow and focused application. Its meaning is derived from the root word for burning, and it is used exclusively within a legal context to define a specific type of physical injury.
The sole appearance of H3555 is in the legal code outlined in the book of Exodus. In the list of penalties for causing physical harm, the text establishes a principle of proportional retribution. The verse states, "Burning H3555 for burning H3555, wound for wound, stripe for stripe" Exodus 21:25. In this context, kᵉvîyâh is not a metaphorical term but a literal reference to a burn, establishing that the punishment for inflicting such an injury should be an equivalent injury.
In its only scriptural appearance, H3555 is listed alongside other words for physical harm, helping to clarify the scope of the law:
- H6482 petsaʻ (a wound; wound(-ing)): This word appears in direct parallel with kᵉvîyâh in the phrase "wound for wound" Exodus 21:25. It is a general term for an injury, also used in contexts like Lamech's speech, where he speaks of slaying a man "to my wounding" Genesis 4:23.
- H2250 chabbûwrâh (a weal... blueness, bruise, hurt, stripe, wound): This term, translated as "stripe" in Exodus 21:25, denotes the mark left by a blow, such as a bruise or weal. It is also used in Isaiah to describe a body covered in "wounds, and bruises" Isaiah 1:6.
The significance of H3555 is primarily judicial rather than theological, defining a key aspect of Old Testament law.
- Principle of Equivalent Justice: The phrase "Burning for burning" Exodus 21:25 is a cornerstone of the legal principle that punishment must match the offense. It ensures that justice is proportional and prevents excessive retaliation.
- Specificity in Law: The inclusion of kᵉvîyâh alongside terms for wounds and stripes demonstrates the detailed nature of the Mosaic Law. It did not just legislate against generic "harm," but addressed specific, distinct types of injuries.
- Bodily Consequence: The word places the consequence for physical violence squarely on the body of the offender. It underscores a legal system where physical actions have direct and equivalent physical repercussions, as seen in the list from Exodus 21:25.
In summary, H3555 kᵉvîyâh is a precise and rare biblical word. While its usage is limited to a single verse, its role is crucial. It functions as a key component in the legal formula of "an eye for an eye," found in Exodus 21:25. The word's importance comes from its contribution to the biblical concept of proportional justice, illustrating how the law was designed to address specific harms with equivalent consequences.
TRV