### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **çâraph**, represented by `{{H5635}}`, is a primitive root meaning to **cremate** or **burn**. The definition notes a specific application where near of kin were privileged to kindle the funeral pyre. This word is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole biblical use of `{{H5635}}` occurs in a somber context within the book of Amos. The passage describes a scene of widespread death where a man's uncle must handle the dead. He is accompanied by "he that **burneth** him," whose task is to help bring the bones out of the house [[Amos 6:10]]. This singular appearance highlights the word's direct connection to the final rites of dealing with a corpse, specifically through cremation, in a time of severe judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words appear alongside `{{H5635}}` in its only verse, adding depth to the scene:
* `{{H1730}}` **dôwd**: Defined as an **uncle**, friend, or beloved. While used extensively in the Song of Solomon to mean **beloved** [[Song of Solomon 5:1]], in [[Amos 6:10]] it refers to the **uncle**, the kinsman responsible for the dead.
* `{{H5375}}` **nâsâʼ**: This verb means to lift, bear, or carry away. In the verse, it describes the action of the uncle who shall **take him up**. This word is also used theologically for God who **pardoneth** iniquity [[Micah 7:18]] and is described as the high and **lofty One** [[Isaiah 57:15]].
* `{{H6106}}` **ʻetsem**: Meaning a **bone** or the body itself. The purpose of the burning in [[Amos 6:10]] is to bring the **bones** out of the house. This word is used elsewhere to describe the dry **bones** in Ezekiel's vision [[Ezekiel 37:4]] and metaphorically for one's innermost being, as in a fire shut up in my **bones** [[Jeremiah 20:9]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5635}}` is derived entirely from its singular, stark context.
* **A Sign of Judgment:** The act of burning the dead in [[Amos 6:10]] is not presented as a normal burial rite but as a desperate measure in a time of overwhelming plague or judgment from God.
* **Kinsman's Duty in Crisis:** The definition itself points to a near of kin performing the act. In the verse, this falls to the **uncle** `{{H1730}}`, showing the breakdown of normal societal structures where even the grim task of cremation is a familial duty.
* **A Context of Fear:** The scene concludes with a command to "Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD" [[Amos 6:10]]. The act of burning is thus framed by a profound fear of God, occurring under circumstances so dire that invoking His name is considered dangerous.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5635}}` **çâraph** is a highly specific term for the act of burning or cremating a body. Its sole appearance in scripture ties it indelibly to a scene of intense judgment in [[Amos 6:10]]. While its base definition suggests a role for near kin, its biblical usage places this action within a context of great loss and fear. It is a powerful example of how a word, even with a single use, can vividly illustrate the gravity of a divine warning and its consequences on human life and death.
TRV