### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H7367 (רַחְצָה, *rachtsâh*) is derived from the root verb H7364 (רָחַץ, *rachats*), which means "to wash, bathe, rinse." As a feminine noun, rachtsâh specifically denotes "a bathing place" or the act of "washing" itself. It emphasizes the physical act of ablution, often implying a designated location or area where such cleansing occurs, such as a pool, spring, or private space for bathing. While rachtsâh primarily refers to physical cleansing, the broader semantic field of its root H7364 extends into ritual purification and metaphorical cleansing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H7367 (רַחְצָה, *rachtsâh*) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in a pivotal and well-known narrative:
* **[[2 Samuel 11:2]]**: "It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful."
In this sole occurrence, rachtsâh describes Bathsheba's act of bathing. The context is crucial: David, from his rooftop, observes Bathsheba in the act of personal cleansing. This seemingly private and mundane act becomes the catalyst for David's lust, leading to adultery, deception, and murder. The term highlights the vulnerability of the individual engaged in bathing, and in this instance, the exposure that led to a profound moral transgression. It underscores how an ordinary human activity can become entangled in a narrative of sin and its far-reaching consequences.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root from which H7367 is derived:
* H7364 (רָחַץ, *rachats*): This verb is frequently used throughout the Old Testament for various forms of washing, including physical hygiene (e.g., washing feet, hands, body), ritual purification (e.g., priests washing before ministry, cleansing after contact with the dead or certain bodily discharges), and even metaphorical cleansing from sin.
Other related concepts and words include:
* H3526 (כָּבַס, *kābhas*): Primarily refers to washing clothes.
* H2891 (טָהֵר, *ṭāhēr*): "To be clean, pure," often referring to ritual or moral purity, which may be achieved or maintained through the physical act of washing (from H7364).
* **Physical Hygiene**: The necessity of washing for cleanliness and health in ancient cultures.
* **Ritual Purity**: The integral role of washing in maintaining ritual cleanness necessary for worship and participation in the community (e.g., the Laver in the Tabernacle).
* **Vulnerability and Exposure**: As evidenced in [[2 Samuel 11:2]], the act of bathing often implies nakedness and a state of being exposed, which can lead to temptation or violation.
### Theological Significance
While H7367 itself appears in a context that is more descriptive than overtly theological, its singular occurrence in [[2 Samuel 11:2]] carries immense theological weight through its narrative implications. The act of "washing" (rachtsâh) serves as the initial point of temptation for King David, leading to a cascade of sin. This highlights:
* **The Pervasiveness of Sin**: Even seemingly innocuous or private acts can become occasions for sin when unholy desires are entertained. David's observation of Bathsheba's rachtsâh underscores the human propensity to turn even ordinary occurrences into opportunities for transgression.
* **Consequences of Unchecked Desire**: The narrative emphasizes the devastating consequences of lust and the abuse of power. The rachtsâh becomes a symbol of the beauty that was unjustly desired and taken, leading to adultery, deceit, and murder.
* **The Need for Moral Vigilance**: The story serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating that even a "man after God's own heart" can fall dramatically. It implicitly calls for constant vigilance over one's eyes and desires, as even a casual glance can lead to profound sin.
* **Contrast with Ritual Washing**: In contrast to the many biblical instances where washing (from H7364) is associated with purification and preparing to meet God, here, the rachtsâh is paradoxically linked to the initiation of profound impurity and alienation from God.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun H7367 (רַחְצָה, *rachtsâh*) precisely denotes "a bathing place" or the act of "washing." Its unique appearance in [[2 Samuel 11:2]] is highly significant, describing Bathsheba's act of bathing that became the catalyst for King David's sin. This singular occurrence, while descriptive of a mundane act, is deeply embedded in a narrative of profound moral failure, highlighting human vulnerability, the pervasiveness of temptation, and the dire consequences of unchecked desire. Though distinct from the many instances of ritual washing derived from its root H7364 (רָחַץ), the rachtsâh in [[2 Samuel 11:2]] ironically serves as the initial point of impurity in a story that underscores the ever-present need for spiritual vigilance and moral integrity.
TRV