### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb פָּצַע (pâtsaʻ, `{{H6481}}`) is a primitive root carrying the core meaning of "to split" or "to cleave." This foundational physical action extends semantically to "to wound," implying a breaking open or tearing of flesh or material, resulting in injury. The definition provided, "to split, i.e. wound; wound," indicates both the causative action and the resulting state. Therefore, the semantic range centers on the infliction of a physical injury through a violent splitting or crushing action, leading to a state of being wounded or broken.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb פָּצַע (pâtsaʻ, `{{H6481}}`) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, in the Qal passive participle form, פָּצוּעַ (patsuaʻ).
* **[[Deuteronomy 23:1]]**: "No one whose testicles are crushed (פָּצוּעַ דַּכָּא) or whose male member is cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD."
* In this sole occurrence, פָּצוּעַ is paired with דַּכָּא (dakka', from `{{H1792}}`, meaning "crushed"). The phrase פָּצוּעַ דַּכָּא thus describes a severe, irreversible injury to the male reproductive organs, specifically the crushing of the testicles.
* The context is a legal stipulation concerning eligibility to enter "the assembly of the LORD." This assembly was not merely a social gathering but the representative body of the covenant people, reflecting the holiness and integrity required in God's presence. The injury described by פָּצוּעַ implies a lack of physical wholeness and procreative capacity, which, under the Old Covenant, rendered an individual ritually unfit for full participation in the sacred community. This exclusion underscores the meticulous standards of purity and physical integrity expected within the covenant framework.
### Related Words & Concepts
While פָּצַע (pâtsaʻ, `{{H6481}}`) is unique in its specific application, its meaning connects to broader concepts of injury and wholeness in the Hebrew Bible.
* **Words for "Wound" or "Injury":**
* מַכָּה (makkah, `{{H4347}}`): A more general term for a "blow" or "wound," often resulting from striking.
* חֲבוּרָה (chaburah, `{{H2246}}`): Refers to a "stripe," "bruise," or "wound," often associated with scourging or beating.
* נֶגַע (negaʻ, `{{H5061}}`): A "stroke," "plague," or "sore," often with the implication of divine affliction.
* **Concepts of Wholeness and Purity:**
* תָּמִים (tamim, `{{H8549}}`): "Blameless," "complete," "whole," often used to describe physical perfection required for sacrifices or personal integrity.
* קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh, `{{H6944}}`): "Holiness," "sacredness," the quality of being set apart for God, which often necessitated physical and ritual purity.
* The exclusion in [[Deuteronomy 23:1]] is part of a broader set of laws concerning physical defects (e.g., in priests or sacrificial animals, [[Leviticus 21:17-23]]; [[Leviticus 22:20-25]]), all pointing to the divine demand for perfection and wholeness in that which represents or approaches the Holy God.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of פָּצַע (pâtsaʻ, `{{H6481}}`) in [[Deuteronomy 23:1]] carries significant theological weight within the Old Covenant framework.
* **Divine Demand for Wholeness:** The exclusion of those with severe physical defects, particularly those affecting procreation, highlights God's profound concern for wholeness and integrity within His covenant people. This was not merely about physical appearance but about representing the perfection of the Creator in the created. The physical body, especially in its capacity for life and procreation, was seen as a reflection of divine order. A permanent physical defect in this area symbolized a deviation from that ideal wholeness.
* **Ritual Purity and Sacred Space:** The "assembly of the LORD" was a sacred space where the community gathered to worship and experience God's presence. The laws of exclusion ensured that this sacred space was maintained in a state of ritual purity, free from anything that might be considered an imperfection or a disruption of the divine order.
* **Progression in Redemptive History:** While the Old Covenant emphasized physical and ritual purity, the trajectory of redemptive history, particularly in the New Testament, reveals a shift towards spiritual wholeness. The prophet Isaiah foreshadows a time when eunuchs (who would have been excluded under [[Deuteronomy 23:1]]) would be given "an everlasting name that will not be cut off" within God's house ([[Isaiah 56:3-5]]). This prophecy points to the inclusive nature of the New Covenant, where spiritual integrity and faith in Christ supersede physical perfection as the criterion for belonging to God's people. Jesus' ministry frequently involved healing the physically broken and outcast, demonstrating God's ultimate desire for restoration and inclusion for all who come to Him.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פָּצַע (pâtsaʻ, `{{H6481}}`) is a rare but potent verb, meaning "to split" or "to wound." Its sole appearance in the Old Testament, as the passive participle פָּצוּעַ, occurs in [[Deuteronomy 23:1]]. Here, it describes a severe, irreparable injury to the male reproductive organs ("crushed testicles"), which rendered an individual ineligible to enter the "assembly of the LORD." This specific usage underscores the Old Covenant's emphasis on physical wholeness and ritual purity as a prerequisite for full participation in the sacred community, reflecting God's desire for an undefiled people. Theologically, this stands in contrast to the New Covenant's broader embrace, where spiritual wholeness in Christ supersedes physical perfection, as hinted at in prophetic texts and fully realized in the person and work of Jesus.
TRV