a primitive root; to scourge, i.e. (intransitive and figurative) to be stricken with leprosy; leper, leprous.
Transliteration:tsâraʻ
Pronunciation:tsaw-rah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root צָרַע (tsâraʻ - `{{H6879}}`) is a primitive root whose most fundamental sense is "to strike" or "to scourge." However, its predominant and almost exclusive usage in the Hebrew Bible pertains to a specific divine affliction: being "stricken with leprosy" or a similar severe, divinely-sent skin disease. The term functions both as a verb, describing the state of being afflicted, and implicitly as a descriptor for the one so afflicted. The nuance of "scourging" in its base definition suggests a punitive or divinely-ordained "striking" rather than a mere medical condition, emphasizing the hand of God in its manifestation. This root is intrinsically linked to the noun צָרַעַת (tsâraʻath - `{{H6883}}`), which denotes the disease itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of צָרַע (tsâraʻ - `{{H6879}}`) are concentrated in specific biblical contexts, primarily within the legal framework of Leviticus and narrative accounts of divine judgment.
* **Leviticus 13-14:** Here, the verb צָרַע describes the condition of a person afflicted with צָרַעַת (the skin disease). The focus is on the priest's role in diagnosing the affliction and declaring the person "unclean" (טָמֵא - `{{H2930}}`). For example, [[Leviticus 13:44]] states, "He is a leprous man; he is unclean." This usage is descriptive of the state rather than the act of striking.
* **Numbers 12:10:** This verse presents a clear instance of divine judgment: "When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow." Here, צָרַע denotes the immediate, miraculous affliction sent by God upon Miriam for her rebellion against Moses. The vivid imagery ("like snow") emphasizes the severity and supernatural origin of the condition.
* **2 Kings 5:27:** Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, is צָרַע (stricken with leprosy) as a direct consequence of his greed and deception: "Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever." This again highlights the punitive aspect of the affliction, specifically as a divine curse.
* **2 Kings 15:5 (also 2 Chronicles 26:21):** King Azariah (Uzziah) is צָרַע (stricken with leprosy) until the day of his death because he presumptuously entered the temple to burn incense, usurping the priestly role. This narrative underscores the enduring nature of the divine judgment and the importance of respecting sacred boundaries.
* **Exodus 4:6:** In a unique context, Moses' hand becomes צָרַע (leprous) and then is restored as a miraculous sign from God to convince the Israelites of his divine commission. "Now the LORD said to him, 'Put your hand into your bosom.' So he put his hand into his bosom; and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow." This instance showcases God's power to both inflict and remove the condition, serving as a sign rather than a judgment.
Across these contexts, צָרַע consistently signifies a profound physical affliction, often with clear theological implications of divine involvement, whether as judgment, a sign, or a state of ritual impurity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of צָרַע (tsâraʻ - `{{H6879}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship with other key biblical terms and concepts:
* **צָרַעַת (tsâraʻath - `{{H6883}}`):** This is the direct nominal cognate, referring to the "leprosy" or severe skin disease itself. The verb צָרַע describes the state of having or being afflicted by צָרַעַת. Understanding the disease is crucial to understanding the verb.
* **טָמֵא (ṭāmē’ - `{{H2930}}`):** "Unclean." A person afflicted with צָרַע was declared טָמֵא, ritually unclean. This required their separation from the community and the sanctuary, emphasizing the pervasive nature of impurity in the Israelite cultic system.
* **טָהֵר (ṭāhēr - `{{H2891}}`):** "To be clean" or "to purify." The purification rituals for someone healed of צָרַעַת (Leviticus 14) involved elaborate procedures to restore the individual to a state of ritual cleanness, allowing re-entry into the community.
* **Divine Judgment/Curse:** As seen in the cases of Miriam, Gehazi, and Uzziah, צָרַע frequently functions as a direct, visible manifestation of God's judgment or curse upon individuals who have committed specific sins or acts of rebellion.
* **Exclusion/Isolation:** A profound consequence of being צָרַע was forced social and religious isolation. The afflicted person had to dwell outside the camp or city, symbolizing their separation from the holy community and the presence of God.
### Theological Significance
The affliction of צָרַע (tsâraʻ - `{{H6879}}`) carries profound theological weight within the Hebrew Bible, extending far beyond a mere medical condition.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Justice:** The frequent portrayal of צָרַע as a direct divine act underscores God's absolute sovereignty over life, health, and judgment. It serves as a visible, undeniable sign of His justice in response to sin, particularly rebellion against His authority or sacred order (e.g., Miriam's challenge, Uzziah's presumption, Gehazi's greed). This demonstrates that God is actively involved in human affairs, upholding His covenant and moral standards.
* **Ritual Purity and Holiness:** The extensive Levitical laws surrounding צָרַע highlight the paramount importance of ritual purity in ancient Israel. The disease rendered one טָמֵא (unclean - `{{H2930}}`), making them unfit to participate in communal worship and social life. This system of purity laws was designed to impress upon the Israelites the holiness of God and the necessity of a pure people to dwell in His presence. The physical defilement of צָרַע mirrored the spiritual defilement of sin.
* **Symbolism of Sin's Defilement:** The physical symptoms of צָרַע—its progressive nature, its defiling quality, and its resulting isolation—serve as a powerful metaphor for the nature and consequences of sin. Just as צָרַע separates an individual from the community and makes them ritually unacceptable, so too does sin separate humanity from a holy God and defile the soul. The visible decay of the body in צָרַע can be seen as a tangible representation of the spiritual decay wrought by sin.
* **God's Power to Afflict and Restore:** While often associated with judgment, the narrative of Moses' hand (Exodus 4) and the provisions for purification and reintegration (Leviticus 14) also reveal God's ultimate power to both inflict and remove the affliction. This points to His capacity for both righteous judgment and merciful restoration, underscoring that even in judgment, there is a path back to wholeness and communion, albeit one requiring divine intervention and prescribed ritual.
### Summary
The Hebrew root צָרַע (tsâraʻ - `{{H6879}}`) signifies being "stricken" or "scourged," almost exclusively in the context of a severe, divinely-sent skin affliction, often translated as "leprosy." Its biblical occurrences reveal it primarily as a visible manifestation of divine judgment for specific sins (e.g., rebellion, greed, presumption), leading to profound ritual impurity (טָמֵא - `{{H2930}}`) and social ostracism. The elaborate laws surrounding צָרַע in Leviticus underscore the critical importance of ritual purity and holiness within the Israelite community, serving as a constant reminder of God's absolute sovereignty and His justice. The affliction itself functions as a powerful theological symbol for the defiling and isolating nature of sin, illustrating how spiritual impurity separates individuals from a holy God and His people. Ultimately, צָרַע serves as a potent testament to God's power to both judge and, through His prescribed means, to restore.
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