### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
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