a primitive root; properly, to burn in, i.e. (figuratively) to rankle; wound.
Transliteration:lâham
Pronunciation:law-ham'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H3859 (לָהַם, *lâham*) is a primitive root carrying the core meaning of "to burn in." This suggests an intense, penetrating sensation, akin to a deep, internal heat or inflammation. Figuratively, this literal sense extends to describe something that "rankles" or causes a deep, persistent "wound." The imagery is not merely of a superficial injury, but one that has taken hold internally, festering and causing ongoing pain or distress. The notion of "burning in" implies a process of internal decay or corruption, where an affliction or offense is not easily dismissed but continues to irritate, inflame, and cause profound discomfort. It speaks to a condition that is deeply embedded and actively deteriorating.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H3859 (לָהַם, *lâham*) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in [[Psalm 38:5]]. Despite its singular occurrence, its placement in this deeply personal lament lends it significant weight.
In [[Psalm 38:5]], the psalmist cries out: "My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness" (ESV). The word translated "fester" or "are loathsome" is the Niphal participle of lâham, *nil'hamim* (נִלְהֲמוּ).
The context of Psalm 38 is a confession of sin and a desperate plea for divine mercy amidst severe suffering. The psalmist describes physical ailments and social isolation, which he attributes to his "foolishness" (אִוֶּלֶת, *'ivveleth*), often understood as moral or spiritual folly. The description of his "wounds" (חַבּוּרֹת, *chabbûrôth*, literally "bruises" or "stripes") as *nil'hamim* paints a vivid and repulsive picture. They are not merely sore; they are putrid, emitting a foul odor, and actively decaying. The "burning in" sense of lâham here conveys the deep, internal corruption and the advanced state of decay of these wounds. It suggests a wound that has not healed but has become deeply infected, mirroring the spiritual sickness the psalmist perceives as the root cause. This physical manifestation of decay serves as a powerful metaphor for the internal spiritual rottenness brought about by sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept conveyed by H3859 (לָהַם, *lâham*) resonates with several related biblical themes and lexical fields:
* **Wounds and Affliction:** Words like `{{H4273}}` (מַכָּה, *makkah*, "blow, wound") or `{{H6482}}` (פֶּצַע, *petzaʿ*, "wound") describe the physical injury, but lâham emphasizes the *state* of the wound—its festering, putrid quality.
* **Sickness and Disease:** Terms such as `{{H2483}}` (חֹלִי, *choli*, "sickness") and `{{H4245}}` (מַחֲלָה, *machaleh*, "disease") speak to illness in general. Lâham points to a specific, severe, and repulsive symptom of disease.
* **Corruption and Decay:** The imagery aligns with words denoting decay or putrefaction, such as `{{H8077}}` (שָׁחַת, *shachat*, "to corrupt, destroy, decay"). The "burning in" suggests an internal process of deterioration.
* **Consequences of Sin:** The link in [[Psalm 38:5]] to "foolishness" (אִוֶּלֶת, *'ivveleth*) connects lâham to the broader biblical concept of sin's debilitating effects, not only spiritually but also, at times, physically and socially. This includes the idea of the body reflecting the state of the soul or the natural consequences of moral transgression.
* **Lament and Suffering:** As part of a lament psalm, lâham contributes to the vocabulary of profound distress, pain, and the overwhelming sense of being broken before God.
### Theological Significance
Despite its rarity, the single appearance of H3859 (לָהַם, *lâham*) in [[Psalm 38:5]] carries significant theological weight. It serves as a potent metaphor for the deep-seated, internal corruption that can result from sin and folly.
1. **The Repulsiveness of Sin:** The "stinking" and "festering" nature of the wounds, described by lâham, vividly portrays the loathsome and repulsive character of sin in God's eyes and its damaging effects on the human condition. It goes beyond mere transgression to depict the putrefaction of the inner being.
2. **Holistic Consequences:** The psalm draws a direct link between spiritual "foolishness" and physical decay. This highlights a biblical understanding that human brokenness is often holistic, affecting body, mind, and spirit. The physical manifestation of lâham underscores the pervasive and destructive power of sin.
3. **The Depth of Human Suffering:** The word captures the profound and visceral suffering of the psalmist. It is not a superficial wound but one that has "burned in," causing deep, persistent pain and humiliation. This emphasizes the intensity of the human experience of distress and the need for divine intervention.
4. **Need for Divine Healing:** By presenting such a dire state of affliction, the use of lâham implicitly underscores the absolute necessity of God's healing and restorative power. Only a divine physician can address wounds that are so deeply "burned in" and putrid. It points to the hope of forgiveness and renewal that transcends human capacity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H3859 (לָהַם, *lâham*), a primitive root meaning "to burn in," figuratively describes a wound that "rankles" or "festers." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Psalm 38:5]] powerfully depicts the psalmist's wounds as "stinking and festering" due to his "foolishness." This rare but potent term vividly conveys the deep, internal corruption and putrefaction of a wound that has not healed, serving as a profound metaphor for the loathsome and debilitating consequences of sin. Theologically, lâham underscores the repulsive nature of sin, the holistic impact of human brokenness, and the desperate need for divine healing to address such deep-seated spiritual and physical decay.
TRV