The Hebrew word qaʻăqaʻ, represented by H7085, refers to an incision or gash; [phrase] mark. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the entirety of the Bible, making its single context critically important for understanding its meaning.
The sole appearance of H7085 is in Leviticus 19:28, where the Israelites are given a direct command from God. The verse states, "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD." This places the word in the context of a prohibition against specific mourning rituals that involved permanently marking the body. The command is immediately followed by the declaration "I am the LORD H3068," grounding the rule in God's divine authority.
Several related words found in the same verse clarify the scope of this prohibition:
- H8296 sereṭ (cutting): Defined as "an incision; cutting," this word appears in the first part of the command in Leviticus 19:28, forbidding gashes made in the flesh as a sign of mourning.
- H3793 kᵉthôbeth (a letter or other mark branded on the skin): This term for a branded mark appears in Leviticus 19:28 in close connection with the prohibition, reinforcing the ban on various forms of skin markings.
- H1320 bâsâr (flesh): This word, meaning "flesh" or "body," is the subject of the command. The prohibition is specifically about what is done to the flesh, establishing a principle concerning the body itself Leviticus 19:28.
- H5315 nephesh (dead): The prohibition against cuttings is specifically linked to rituals "for the dead," suggesting the command was intended to separate Israelite practices from those of other nations. Leviticus 19:28.
The theological weight of H7085 is derived entirely from its context in Leviticus.
- Bodily Sanctity: The prohibition against making marks H7085 or cuttings H8296 on the flesh H1320 establishes a principle that the human body is to be regarded as sacred and not defiled by pagan mourning practices Leviticus 19:28.
- Covenantal Distinction: This command served to distinguish the people of Israel from surrounding cultures, whose rituals for the dead H5315 often included such physical markings. It was a visible sign of their unique relationship with God.
- Divine Ownership: The concluding phrase of the verse, "I am the LORD H3068," asserts God's ultimate ownership and authority over His people, including their physical bodies. The command is not merely a cultural guideline but a reflection of their identity as belonging to Him.
In summary, H7085 is a highly specific term used once to forbid the act of placing permanent marks on the body. Its context in Leviticus 19:28 frames this act as an unacceptable pagan mourning custom. The prohibition is theologically significant, underscoring the principles of bodily sanctity, the need for Israel to be distinct from other nations, and the absolute authority of the LORD, who claims His people as His own.
TRV