The Hebrew word shᵉkâbâh, represented by H7902, is derived from the root for "to lie down" H7901. Its base definition is a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act), and it is used idiomatically for carnally, copulation, lay, and seed. It appears 9 times across 9 unique verses in the Bible, primarily within legal and narrative contexts.
In its usage, H7902 has two distinct applications. The most frequent use refers to sexual copulation, often within the framework of ceremonial law. The phrase "seed of copulation" appears in Leviticus to describe emissions that cause temporary uncleanness Leviticus 15:16-17. It is also used in a legal context to specify when a man lies with a woman carnally Numbers 5:13. A different, non-sexual meaning is found in Exodus, where it describes the dew that lay on the ground before the appearance of manna Exodus 16:13.
Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of H7902:
- H7901 shâkab (to lie down): As the primitive root, this word describes the general act of lying down for rest or sexual connection. It is used to describe the action of a man who shall lie with a woman in an act of copulation Leviticus 15:18.
- H2233 zeraʻ (seed): This word is consistently paired with H7902 to form the idiom for a seminal emission, translated as "seed of copulation" Leviticus 15:16 or used to specify the act as carnally Numbers 5:13.
- H2930 ṭâmêʼ (to be foul, ... unclean): The direct consequence of the act described by H7902 is often a state of being ceremonially unclean. The law specifies that after such an act, individuals shall "be unclean until the even" Leviticus 15:18.
The theological weight of H7902 is centered on the Old Testament purity laws.
- Ceremonial Uncleanness: The primary function of the term is to define a specific physical act that results in ceremonial uncleanness. This state required ritual washing for both the people and any garments or skins involved, re-establishing purity before God Leviticus 15:17-18.
- Social Justice: In Leviticus 19:20, the word is used in a law that distinguishes justice based on social status. A man who lies carnally with a betrothed bondmaid is to be scourged, but they are not put to death "because she was not free" H2666, demonstrating a specific legal application.
- Divine Provision: The term's use in describing the dew that lay on the ground connects it to God's miraculous provision of manna for Israel in the wilderness, linking a natural process to a foundational act of divine care Exodus 16:14.
In summary, H7902 shᵉkâbâh is a precise term with a dual focus. While it can literally signify a "lying down," as with the dew Exodus 16:13, it is primarily used to denote the act of sexual copulation within the legal code of the Pentateuch. Its significance is tied directly to the laws of ceremonial purity, where the act results in uncleanness that requires cleansing Leviticus 15:32. The word is therefore key to understanding how the Mosaic Law addressed physical realities to uphold spiritual principles of holiness and justice.
TRV