from צוּעָר; conflagration (of fire or disease); burning, inflammation.
Transliteration:tsârebeth
Pronunciation:tsaw-reh'-beth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun צָרֶבֶת (tsârebeth - `{{H6867}}`) is derived from the verbal root צרב (tsarav - `{{H6866}}`), which carries the core meaning "to burn," "to scorch," or "to inflame." As a noun, tsârebeth denotes the *result* or *effect* of such an action. Its semantic range primarily encompasses:
1. **Conflagration/Burning:** A mark or lesion caused by fire or intense heat. This refers to a physical burn wound.
2. **Inflammation/Scorching:** A burning sensation or an inflamed condition, particularly on the skin, often associated with disease or a physical affliction.
Thus, tsârebeth describes a physical manifestation of intense heat or irritation, whether external (from fire) or internal (as a symptom of disease).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term צָרֶרֶת (tsârebeth - `{{H6867}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Leviticus, specifically within chapter 13, which provides detailed instructions regarding the diagnosis and handling of various skin diseases, most notably צָרַעַת (tzara'at - `{{H6883}}`), often translated as "leprosy." Its occurrences are:
* **[[Leviticus 13:24]]**: "Or if the body has a burn (צָרֶבֶת) from fire and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white or white..." Here, tsârebeth clearly refers to a burn mark on the skin that subsequently develops characteristics similar to tzara'at. The priest is required to examine this mark.
* **[[Leviticus 13:25]]**: This verse continues the description of the tsârebeth that has developed into a reddish-white or white spot, indicating a potential serious skin condition. The priest's diagnosis hinges on whether the hair in the affected area has turned white, and whether the mark appears deeper than the skin.
* **[[Leviticus 13:28]]**: If the bright spot from the tsârebeth remains unchanged and is not deeper than the skin, but is dull white, it is identified as a swelling from the burn itself, and the person is declared clean. This distinguishes a benign burn mark from a more serious, ritually impure condition.
* **[[Leviticus 13:23]]**: This verse describes the "scar of the burning" (צָרֶבֶת). If the tsârebeth spot remains in its place and does not spread, it is considered the scar of the burn, and the person is clean. This highlights that not every tsârebeth led to impurity, but its potential to do so required careful scrutiny.
In all contexts, tsârebeth refers to a specific type of skin lesion originating from a burn, which then requires examination by the priest to determine if it is a benign scar or has progressed into a condition that renders the individual ritually impure. The meticulous nature of these instructions underscores the importance of physical integrity and ritual purity in ancient Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Verbal Root:** The direct verbal root is צרב (tsarav - `{{H6866}}`), meaning "to burn," "to scorch," or "to inflame." This root provides the foundational action from which the noun tsârebeth derives its meaning.
* **General Terms for Fire/Burning:**
* אֵשׁ (esh - `{{H784}}`): The general Hebrew word for "fire."
* שָׂרַף (sarap - `{{H8313}}`): A verb meaning "to burn," often in the context of consuming by fire (e.g., sacrifices, destruction).
* בָּעַר (ba'ar - `{{H1197}}`): A verb meaning "to burn," "to kindle," or "to consume."
* **Skin Diseases/Blemishes:**
* צָרַעַת (tzara'at - `{{H6883}}`): The broader category of skin afflictions, including those that might develop from a tsârebeth, which rendered a person ritually impure.
* נֶגַע (nega' - `{{H5061}}`): A "plague," "stroke," or "mark," often referring to any skin lesion or affliction that required priestly inspection.
* **Purity Laws:** The concept of tsârebeth is inextricably linked to the extensive purity laws of the Old Testament, particularly those found in Leviticus. These laws distinguished between clean and unclean, pure and impure, affecting an individual's participation in communal worship and daily life.
### Theological Significance
The presence and meticulous examination of צָרֶבֶת (tsârebeth) within the Levitical code carry significant theological weight:
1. **Holiness and Purity:** The detailed regulations concerning tsârebeth and other skin conditions underscore God's absolute demand for holiness and purity within the covenant community. Physical integrity and freedom from blemish were seen as reflections of the ideal state of wholeness and order that God desired for His people, mirroring His own perfect character.
2. **Divine Order and Priestly Mediation:** The role of the priest in diagnosing tsârebeth highlights the established divine order for maintaining the sanctity and health of the community. It was not merely a medical assessment but a ritual determination of an individual's standing before God and within the community. The priest acted as a mediator, applying God's revealed will to specific cases.
3. **Consequences of Affliction and Sin:** While not every tsârebeth or affliction was a direct result of individual sin, the broader context of tzara'at often carried connotations of divine judgment or a disruption of the divinely ordained order. The need for separation for those deemed impure served as a stark reminder of human vulnerability and the pervasive nature of impurity in a fallen world.
4. **Symbolism of Cleansing and Restoration:** The procedures for examining, isolating, and, if applicable, cleansing individuals with tsârebeth (and tzara'at) prefigure the profound need for spiritual cleansing from sin. These physical rituals pointed forward to the ultimate and complete cleansing offered through the atoning work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies purity and provides true restoration.
### Summary
The Hebrew word צָרֶבֶת (tsârebeth - `{{H6867}}`), derived from the root צרב (tsarav - `{{H6866}}`) meaning "to burn," signifies a "burning" or "inflammation," specifically a mark or lesion on the skin caused by a burn. Its occurrences are limited to Leviticus 13, where it is meticulously described as a type of skin affliction that required careful priestly examination within the framework of Israel's purity laws. The appearance of tsârebeth could potentially indicate a state of ritual impurity, necessitating separation and observation. The theological significance of tsârebeth lies in its contribution to the overarching theme of holiness and purity within the Israelite covenant, emphasizing God's demand for a set-apart community. It also highlights the crucial role of the priesthood in maintaining divine order and the symbolic nature of physical blemishes as reminders of human fragility and the profound need for divine grace and spiritual cleansing.
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