The Hebrew word nâ', represented by H4995, refers to something that is raw or uncooked. Its base definition describes that which is tough and uncooked, specifically flesh. This highly specific term appears only 1 times in 1 unique verses, making its single usage particularly significant.
The sole appearance of H4995 is in the instructions for the first Passover. In Exodus 12:9, the Israelites are commanded regarding the sacrificial lamb, "Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire." This directive establishes a clear prohibition against consuming the consecrated animal in an unprepared state. The term stands in direct opposition to the acceptable methods of preparation: being "sodden" (boiled) with water or "roast" with fire, with the latter being the commanded method for the Passover sacrifice.
The context of H4995 is defined by its relationship to words describing food preparation:
- H1310 bâshal (to boil up, seethe): This is one of the cooking methods forbidden for the Passover lamb but permitted for other sacrifices and meals, such as boiling flesh at the tabernacle door Leviticus 8:31 or seething pottage 2 Kings 4:38. It is explicitly contrasted with eating something raw.
- H6748 tsâlîy (roasted): This is the divinely mandated preparation for the Passover lamb Exodus 12:9. The term specifies that the flesh must be cooked with fire, setting it apart from being either raw or boiled.
- H398 ʼâkal (to eat): This verb governs the entire command. The prohibition is specifically about how the lamb is to be eaten, linking the state of the food directly to the act of consumption. The Bible uses this term both for literal eating Genesis 2:17 and figuratively for internalizing something, such as God's words Jeremiah 15:16.
While rare, the theological weight of H4995 is found in its precise ceremonial context.
- Obedience in Worship: The prohibition against eating the lamb raw underscores that obedience to God extends to the fine details of worship. The method of preparation was not a matter of culinary choice but of divine command.
- Symbolism of Transformation: To leave the sacrifice raw would be to leave it in its natural, unprepared state. The commanded alternative, roasting with fire H784, connects the sacrifice to a key biblical symbol of God's presence, power, and refining action (Exodus 13:21, Zechariah 13:9).
- Setting Apart: The specific rules, including the ban on eating it raw, distinguished the Passover meal as a holy and unique event, set apart from ordinary meals or the practices of other peoples.
In summary, H4995 is a term whose meaning is sharpened by its singular, powerful context. As raw, it represents a forbidden state for the Passover sacrifice, an offering that required a specific, transformative preparation by fire. Its use in Exodus 12:9 serves as a potent reminder that holiness and obedience are intertwined, demanding adherence to God's instructions in every detail of worship.
TRV