The Hebrew word shaʼărâh, represented by H7608, is a specific term for female kindred by blood or near kinswomen. It is the feminine of שְׁאֵר. Reflecting its specialized nature, it appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible, where it serves a critical legal function.
The single use of H7608 is found in a legal context within the book of Leviticus. In Leviticus 18:17, the term is used to establish a boundary for sexual relationships, forbidding a man from having relations with a woman and her immediate female descendants. The scripture explicitly identifies a woman's daughter and granddaughters as her near kinswomen, labeling the act of uncovering their nakedness as "wickedness" H2154. This places the word directly within the framework of laws defining forbidden kinship ties and sexual purity.
Several related words in its sole context clarify its meaning and gravity:
- H6172 ʻervâh (nakedness): This word, defined as "nudity... disgrace, blemish," refers to the state that is forbidden to be uncovered Leviticus 18:17. It signifies not just a physical act but the shame and uncleanness associated with it Lamentations 1:8.
- H802 ʼishshâh (woman): The law in Leviticus 18:17 is centered on the primary woman, whose direct descendants are protected. This word is foundational to family structure, often translated as wife (Genesis 2:24, Proverbs 18:22).
- H1323 bath (daughter): This term is used repeatedly in Leviticus 18:17 to specify which relatives are considered near kinswomen. The word is used for both literal family members Nehemiah 4:14 and figuratively for a community, such as the daughter of Zion Isaiah 62:11.
The theological importance of H7608 is concentrated in its single appearance, where it establishes critical principles for covenant life.
- Defining Sacred Boundaries: The term is used within a legal framework to draw a clear line against specific sexual relations. This highlights God's role in ordering society and defining holiness by setting apart relationships that are to be protected from profanation Leviticus 18:17.
- Preservation of Kinship: By designating these female relatives as near kinswomen, the law guards the integrity of the family unit. The associated act is explicitly called "wickedness" H2154, a term linked elsewhere to heinous crime and lewdness (Ezekiel 22:9, Ezekiel 24:13).
- Expression of Covenant Holiness: The prohibition is fundamentally about maintaining purity and avoiding disgrace. The uncovering of "nakedness" H6172 is tied to shame Isaiah 47:3 and uncleanness Deuteronomy 24:1, and forbidding it among near kinswomen is a direct command for Israel to live as a people set apart.
In summary, shaʼărâh H7608 is a highly specific term whose meaning is entirely derived from its single, potent use in scripture. It is not merely a label for a relative but a legal and moral designation identifying female kindred by blood who are protected by divine law. Its appearance in Leviticus 18:17 serves as a cornerstone for understanding biblical prohibitions on incest, anchoring the command in the preservation of familial integrity and the pursuit of holiness. The word demonstrates how even the rarest biblical terms can be essential for defining the boundaries of covenant life.
TRV