from שָׂרַף; combustion, i.e. cremation (of a corpse), or calcination (of lime); burning.
Transliteration:misrâphâh
Pronunciation:mis-raw-faw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מִשְׂרָפָה (misrâphâh, `{{H4955}}`) is derived from the verbal root שָׂרַף (śārāp̄, `{{H8313}}`), meaning "to burn, consume with fire." The nominal form, with its "mi-" prefix, typically denotes a place, instrument, or the result of an action. Thus, מִשְׂרָפָה signifies "combustion" or "burning," emphasizing the outcome of being consumed by fire. Its semantic range encompasses:
1. **General Burning/Combustion:** The act or process of something being consumed by fire.
2. **Cremation (of a corpse):** Though not explicitly for human burial in a positive sense in the Bible, it is used for the burning of bodies, particularly in the context of human sacrifice.
3. **Calcination (of lime):** The process of burning materials at high temperatures to reduce them to ashes or transform them, though this specific application is not directly attested in biblical usage of this word.
In essence, מִשְׂרָפָה always points to a thorough, often destructive, and transformative consumption by fire, leaving behind ashes or complete ruin.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מִשְׂרָפָה appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, each instance revealing significant theological or historical context:
* **Ritual Purity and Sin Offering:** In [[Leviticus 4:12]] and [[Leviticus 4:21]], מִשְׂרָפָה refers to the burning of the bull's remains from the sin offering outside the camp. This act was not merely disposal but a crucial part of the ritual for expiation. The burning "at the ash heap" (מִשְׂרָפָה) signified the complete consumption and removal of the defiled elements of the sacrifice from the holy precincts, emphasizing the thoroughness required in dealing with sin and impurity before a holy God.
* **Warfare and Total Destruction:** [[Joshua 11:13]] describes Joshua's conquest where, uniquely, the city of Hazor was subjected to "burning" (מִשְׂרָפָה) by fire, unlike other cities whose structures were preserved. Here, the term denotes complete military destruction, signifying the utter defeat and annihilation of a formidable enemy, leaving no trace of its former might.
* **Idolatrous Child Sacrifice:** Perhaps the most chilling uses of מִשְׂרָפָה are found in [[2 Kings 23:10]] and [[Jeremiah 32:35]], where it refers to the horrific practice of burning children as offerings to Molech in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom (Topheth). This context highlights the ultimate perversion of worship and human life. The "burning" here is an act of human immolation, an "abominable thing" (תּוֹעֵבָה, tôʿēbâ, `{{H8441}}`) that God never commanded and utterly detested.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of מִשְׂרָפָה is closely tied to the broader concept of fire and its various applications in the biblical narrative:
* **Root Verb:** The most direct relation is to its root, שָׂרָף (śārāp̄, `{{H8313}}`), the verb "to burn," which is extensively used for consuming sacrifices, destroying cities, burning refuse, and signifying divine judgment.
* **Other Verbs for Burning:** Other Hebrew verbs like בָּעַר (bāʿar, `{{H1197}}`, "to burn, consume") and יָקַד (yāqad, `{{H3344}}`, "to burn, kindle") also describe various forms of combustion, though מִשְׂרָפָה specifically denotes the *result* or *place* of intense burning.
* **Sacrifice and Offerings:** Fire is integral to the sacrificial system, consuming the offering as a means of worship, atonement, or purification. The "burning" of sin offerings outside the camp is a specific aspect of this.
* **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** Fire frequently symbolizes God's righteous judgment, consuming the wicked or their strongholds, as seen in the destruction of cities.
* **Idolatry and Abomination:** The perversion of fire in child sacrifice to false gods stands as a stark example of the depths of human sin and the abhorrence it evokes in God.
* **Purification and Expiation:** Fire's transformative power is also associated with cleansing and the complete removal of impurity or sin, leaving things pure or consumed.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מִשְׂרָפָה is multi-faceted, reflecting key aspects of God's character and His interaction with humanity:
* **God's Holiness and Purity:** In the context of sin offerings, the "burning" of the defiled parts outside the camp underscores the absolute holiness of God, who cannot tolerate sin in His presence. It signifies the complete removal and expiation of impurity, ensuring the sanctity of the tabernacle/temple. This ritual act emphasizes the thoroughness required in dealing with the consequences of sin.
* **Divine Judgment and Consequences of Sin:** The burning of cities like Hazor serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment against wickedness and rebellion. It illustrates the complete and irreversible destruction that can come upon those who oppose God's will or persist in sin, serving as a stark warning.
* **Abhorrence of Idolatry and the Sanctity of Life:** The most profound theological statement comes from the use of מִשְׂרָפָה in relation to child sacrifice. This practice, explicitly called an "abomination," highlights God's utter revulsion for such acts. It underscores the sanctity of human life, created in God's image, and the profound evil of its destruction in the name of false worship. This context reveals the depths of human depravity and the stark contrast between the true worship of Yahweh and the horrific practices of paganism.
* **Transformation and Consumption:** Across all its occurrences, מִשְׂרָפָה speaks to a process of complete consumption and irreversible transformation by fire, whether for ritual purposes, military conquest, or the most heinous acts of idolatry. It signifies an end or a change that cannot be undone.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun מִשְׂרָפָה (misrâphâh, `{{H4955}}`), derived from the root שָׂרָף (śārāp̄, `{{H8313}}`) "to burn," denotes "combustion" or "burning" with an emphasis on complete consumption. Its biblical occurrences reveal a spectrum of meaning: from the ritual burning of sin offerings outside the camp, signifying purification and expiation ([[Leviticus 4:12]], [[Leviticus 4:21]]), to the total destruction of enemy cities in warfare ([[Joshua 11:13]]). Most significantly, it describes the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice to Molech ([[2 Kings 23:10]], [[Jeremiah 32:35]]), a practice unequivocally condemned by God. Theologically, מִשְׂרָפָה underscores God's absolute holiness and the necessity of dealing thoroughly with sin, serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment, and starkly illustrates the depths of human depravity and God's utter revulsion for idolatrous child sacrifice. In every instance, it signifies an irreversible process of complete consumption and transformation by fire.
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