from סָפַח; the mange (as making the hair fall off); scab.
Transliteration:çappachath
Pronunciation:sap-pakh'-ath
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma סַפַּחַת (çappachath, `{{H5597}}`) is a noun derived from the root סָפַח (çaphach, `{{H5596}}`). The root סָפַח carries meanings related to "to attach oneself," "to cling," "to join," or in a more negative sense, "to be swept away" or "to be affixed as a disease." Consequently, çappachath specifically denotes a type of persistent skin affliction. Its base definition points to "mange (as making the hair fall off)" or "scab." This suggests a visible, external dermatological condition, likely characterized by crusting, flaking, and a notable impact on hair growth, leading to hair loss in the affected area. The semantic range of çappachath is quite narrow, focusing exclusively on this particular form of skin disease within the context of ritual purity laws.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term סַפַּחַת (çappachath) appears exclusively within the legal framework of the book of Leviticus, specifically in chapters 13 and 14, which detail the laws concerning ritual purity and defilement related to various skin diseases. Its occurrences include [[Leviticus 13:2]], [[Leviticus 13:6]], [[Leviticus 13:7]], [[Leviticus 13:8]], [[Leviticus 13:30]], [[Leviticus 13:31]], [[Leviticus 13:32]], [[Leviticus 13:33]], [[Leviticus 13:34]], and [[Leviticus 14:56]].
In [[Leviticus 13]], çappachath is presented as one of several skin conditions requiring priestly examination, alongside צָרַעַת (tsara'at, often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of severe skin ailments) and בַּהֶרֶת (baheret, a "bright spot"). The priest's role is diagnostic and declarative:
* In [[Leviticus 13:30-34]], specific criteria are outlined for discerning whether a çappachath is ritually "unclean." Key indicators include the presence of yellow, thin hair within the affliction and whether the çappachath appears to be deeper than the surrounding skin. If these signs are present, the priest declares the person unclean.
* If the çappachath does not appear deeper and there is no yellow hair, the afflicted individual is quarantined for seven days, after which a re-examination occurs. If the çappachath has not spread, the person is declared clean ([[Leviticus 13:31-34]]).
* The meticulous attention to the appearance of hair (yellow, black, thin) and the depth of the lesion underscores the visual nature of the priestly diagnosis.
* [[Leviticus 14:56]] lists çappachath among the various "scabs" and "rashes" that the priest must discern, reiterating its place within the broader category of skin conditions that could lead to ritual impurity.
The consistent context is one of ritual purity, where physical ailments, particularly those that were visible and potentially contagious, rendered an individual impure and thus temporarily separated from the community and the sanctuary.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **סָפַח (çaphach, `{{H5596}}`):** The verbal root from which çappachath is derived. It signifies the act of clinging, attaching, or being joined, which aptly describes a persistent skin affliction that "clings" to the body.
* **צָרַעַת (tsara'at, `{{H6879}}`):** This is the most prominent and severe category of skin disease in Leviticus, often translated as "leprosy." çappachath is presented as a distinct, yet related, condition that the priest must carefully differentiate from tsara'at. Both involve similar diagnostic procedures, focusing on hair color, depth of the lesion, and potential for spreading.
* **בַּהֶרֶת (baheret, `{{H934}}`):** A "bright spot" or "white spot" on the skin, also subject to priestly examination to determine if it is tsara'at or a benign condition. This highlights the nuanced discernment required of the priest.
* **Ritual Purity and Impurity (טוּמְאָה, tum'ah / טָהֳרָה, tahorah):** The concept of çappachath is intrinsically linked to the broader system of ritual purity in the Mosaic Law. Skin diseases were a significant source of ritual defilement, necessitating separation from the community and the sanctuary, followed by specific cleansing rituals for re-integration.
* **Priestly Authority:** The kohen (priest) holds a central and authoritative role in diagnosing and declaring purity or impurity. This underscores the theocratic nature of ancient Israel, where divine authority, mediated through the priesthood, governed matters of health, holiness, and community participation.
### Theological Significance
The detailed laws concerning סַפַּחַת (çappachath) and other skin diseases carry profound theological weight within the Old Covenant.
* **Holiness and Separation:** At its core, the regulations emphasize God's absolute holiness and His demand for a holy people. Physical blemishes, especially those that were disfiguring or potentially contagious, served as visible symbols of impurity, antithetical to the perfection and wholeness required in a people set apart for a holy God. The separation of the afflicted maintained the sanctity of the camp, where God's presence dwelled.
* **Symbolism of Sin:** While not explicitly stated as a direct punishment for sin in every instance, skin diseases in the Bible are often interpreted by scholars as symbolic representations of sin's defiling and separating nature. Just as sin separates humanity from God and from one another, so too did çappachath necessitate a temporary separation from the community and the sanctuary.
* **Divine Order and Authority:** The meticulous rules for diagnosis and the prescribed procedures for purification reveal God's sovereign authority over all aspects of life, including health and disease. This divine order ensured the purity and well-being of the covenant community under God's watchful eye.
* **Compassion within Discipline:** Paradoxically, while leading to separation, these laws also provided a structured framework for managing disease and a clear path for restoration through ritual cleansing. This reflects a divine concern for both the individual's well-being and the communal health, demonstrating God's meticulous care even amidst affliction.
* **Anticipation of Christ:** From a New Testament perspective, these Old Testament laws, including those pertaining to çappachath, serve as shadows pointing to the ultimate reality found in Christ. The Levitical priest could only diagnose and declare a person clean or unclean; Jesus, however, possessed the divine power to truly *cleanse* and heal all forms of defilement, whether physical or spiritual. His willingness to touch the "unclean" and restore them to wholeness transcends the limitations of the Old Covenant system, demonstrating His unique authority over sin and sickness.
### Summary
סַפַּחַת (çappachath, `{{H5597}}`) denotes a specific skin affliction, akin to mange or scab, characterized by hair loss. Its biblical usage is confined to the Levitical purity laws, where it is meticulously described as a condition requiring priestly examination. The priest's role was crucial in distinguishing çappachath from other skin diseases like צָרַעַת (tsara'at, `{{H6879}}`), based on specific visual criteria, to determine an individual's ritual status. The theological significance of çappachath is deeply embedded in the themes of holiness, separation, and the symbolic representation of sin's defiling power within the Israelite community. These detailed regulations underscore God's demand for purity, His sovereign governance over disease, and the structured path for maintaining the sanctity of His people, ultimately foreshadowing the comprehensive cleansing and healing power of the Messiah.
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