from קָרַח; a bald spot (on the back of the head); figuratively, a threadbare spot (on the back side of the cloth); bald head, bare within.
Transliteration:qârachath
Pronunciation:kaw-rakh'-ath
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H7146 (qârachath) derives from the root `{{H7139}}` (qârach), which means "to be bald" or "to make smooth/bare." Its primary concrete meaning is a "bald spot," specifically referring to the back of the head. This emphasizes an area devoid of hair, smooth and exposed. Figuratively, qârachath extends its semantic range to describe a "threadbare spot" on fabric or leather, indicating an area worn bare, thin, or decayed. In both applications, the word conveys a sense of exposedness, lack of covering, or deterioration. It points to a visible manifestation of absence or decay on a surface.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H7146 occurs exclusively within the book of Leviticus, specifically within the detailed instructions concerning the diagnosis and handling of *tzara'at*, a comprehensive term for various skin diseases and material contaminations often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of conditions.
* In [[Leviticus 13:42]], qârachath refers to a "bald spot" on the back of the head where a reddish-white sore might appear, indicating a potential outbreak of *tzara'at*. The verse states: "If there is in the bald spot (qârachath) on the back of his head, or in his forehead, a reddish-white sore, it is leprosy breaking out in his bald spot (qârachath) or in his forehead."
* [[Leviticus 13:43]] continues this description, instructing the priest to examine the "swelling of the sore... in his bald spot (qârachath) or in his forehead," comparing it to the appearance of *tzara'at* elsewhere on the body.
* The only instance where qârachath refers to a material defect is in [[Leviticus 13:55]], concerning a garment or leather item. Here, it describes a "bald spot (qârachath) of decay" or a "bare spot" that has not healed after washing, indicating persistent contamination or deterioration. This highlights the figurative extension of the word to signify a worn-out or corrupted area on an object.
In all contexts, qârachath signifies a visible, identifiable area of concern requiring priestly examination and a determination of ritual purity or impurity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term H7146 is intrinsically linked to its verbal root `{{H7139}}` (qârach), "to be bald," and the adjective `{{H7144}}` (qârâch), meaning "bald" or "baldness." These terms collectively describe the state of having a smooth, uncovered head.
Related concepts include:
* **Purity and Impurity:** Central to the Levitical code, qârachath is a marker in the diagnostic process of *tzara'at*, which renders a person or object ritually impure.
* **Physical Defects:** The presence of qârachath as a sign of *tzara'at* places it among other physical conditions that could lead to temporary exclusion from the community or cultic activity.
* **Decay and Deterioration:** The figurative use in [[Leviticus 13:55]] connects qârachath with the concept of rot or corruption in materials, paralleling the idea of a spreading disease in the body.
* **Priestly Examination:** The identification of qârachath necessitates the expertise of the priest, underscoring the divine order for maintaining holiness within the Israelite camp.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of qârachath lies primarily within the broader framework of Israel's purity laws. While seemingly mundane physical descriptions, they carry profound spiritual implications:
1. **Holiness and Separation:** The meticulous regulations concerning *tzara'at*, including the identification of qârachath, underscore God's absolute holiness and His demand for a holy people. Anything that defiled, whether physically or spiritually, had to be identified, separated, and either cleansed or removed from the community. The qârachath serves as a visible sign of this potential defilement.
2. **Visible Manifestation of Internal State:** In the context of skin diseases, the physical manifestation of qârachath as a symptom of *tzara'at* can be seen as a parabolic representation of spiritual decay or sin. Just as the qârachath on the head or garment indicates a problem that needs addressing, so too does sin manifest itself, requiring divine intervention and cleansing.
3. **Divine Concern for Order and Well-being:** The detailed nature of these laws reveals God's meticulous care for the physical health and communal well-being of His people. The prompt identification and management of conditions like *tzara'at* prevented widespread contagion and maintained the sanctity of the camp, which was God's dwelling place.
4. **Atonement and Restoration:** While qârachath itself is a sign of impurity, the broader laws concerning *tzara'at* also detail the process of cleansing and restoration. This points to the possibility of purification and reintegration for those who were afflicted, foreshadowing the ultimate cleansing and restoration offered through divine grace.
### Summary
H7146 (qârachath) denotes a "bald spot," specifically on the back of the head, or figuratively, a "threadbare spot" on cloth. Its biblical occurrences are confined to Leviticus, where it functions as a key diagnostic sign within the purity laws concerning *tzara'at*. In these contexts, qârachath represents a visible manifestation of impurity or decay, whether on the human body or on materials, necessitating priestly examination and a determination of ritual status. Theologically, qârachath highlights God's demand for holiness, His meticulous concern for the physical and spiritual purity of His covenant people, and the process by which defilement is identified, separated, and potentially remedied, pointing to the comprehensive nature of divine order and the possibility of restoration.
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