### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) is a primitive root, carrying the core meaning of "to estimate" or "to make count." Unlike a simple tallying, this term implies a more nuanced process of assessment, calculation, or apportionment. Its semantic range suggests a deliberate evaluation, often with a view to determining a suitable quantity, worth, or division. It speaks to a practical discernment, a weighing of factors to arrive at an appropriate numerical determination or allocation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in [[Exodus 12:4]]. This sole occurrence is within the highly significant context of the instructions for the first Passover. The verse reads: "And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb."
In this passage, kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) is used in the Hiphil stem ("תָּכֹסּוּ" - *tākhōssū*), indicating a causative or declarative sense: "you shall cause to make count" or "you shall make your count/estimate." The instruction is highly practical: if a household is too small to consume an entire Passover lamb, they are to join with a neighbor. The crucial element is the *estimation* ("make your count") of how many individuals are needed to fully consume the lamb, based on each person's anticipated eating capacity. This ensures that the entire lamb is consumed, adhering to the divine command that nothing of the lamb should remain until the morning (cf. [[Exodus 12:10]]). The use of kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) here highlights the need for careful, proportional calculation, not just a simple enumeration, to ensure the sacred meal is handled with precision and reverence.
### Related Words & Concepts
While kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) is unique in its singular occurrence, its underlying concept of counting and estimating relates to other Hebrew terms.
* מָנָה (mânâh, `{{H4487}}`): A more general term meaning "to count," "number," or "assign," often used for a simple enumeration or appointment.
* סָפַר (sâphar, `{{H5608}}`): To count, number, or recount; often implies a written record or a detailed telling.
* חָשַׁב (ḥâshav, `{{H2803}}`): To think, reckon, devise, or compute; involves mental calculation and planning.
What distinguishes kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) is its specific nuance of estimating *based on consumption or capacity*, emphasizing a practical, proportional division. It's not merely counting heads, but assessing how many heads are required to fulfill a specific consumption requirement, thereby underscoring a precise administrative aspect of a sacred duty.
### Theological Significance
Despite its rarity, the placement of kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) in the foundational Passover narrative imbues it with profound theological significance.
1. **Divine Meticulousness:** The instruction to "make count" for the Passover lamb underscores God's meticulous attention to detail in His commands. Even practical logistical matters concerning the consumption of a sacred offering are divinely ordained, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's law and His foresight in anticipating human needs and limitations.
2. **Order and Reverence in Worship:** The command ensures that the Passover lamb, a central element of Israel's redemption, is consumed in an orderly and reverent manner. It prevents waste and ensures the complete appropriation of the sacrifice, reflecting the seriousness with which God's holy ordinances are to be observed.
3. **Communal Responsibility:** The instruction necessitates communal participation. If a household is too small, they must join with neighbors, emphasizing the corporate nature of the covenant and the shared responsibility in fulfilling God's commands. The sacrifice is not merely for individual benefit but for the community.
4. **Sufficiency of the Sacrifice:** The requirement to consume the entire lamb, facilitated by this careful estimation, subtly points to the completeness and sufficiency of the sacrificial act. Nothing is left over, signifying the full efficacy and appropriation of the atonement provided through the lamb.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) is a rare but significant term meaning "to estimate" or "to make count." Its sole biblical appearance in [[Exodus 12:4]] is within the context of the Passover instructions, where it commands the meticulous estimation of participants needed to consume the sacrificial lamb. This precise calculation ensures proper communal participation and the complete, reverent consumption of the offering. Theologically, kâçaç (`{{H3699}}`) highlights God's meticulousness in His divine commands, the importance of order and communal responsibility in worship, and the complete sufficiency of the Passover sacrifice. It underscores that even the practical details of sacred acts are under divine purview, reflecting God's wisdom and His desire for His people to approach Him with careful preparation and shared devotion.
TRV