מִסְפַּ֫חַת
mis.pa.chat
scab
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word מִסְפַּ֫חַת (mispa-chat) is defined as a scab, and is categorized under the semantic domain of Body & Health. This information suggests that the term is closely tied to physical health and illness, specifically the process of scabbing over wounds. The fact that this word appears only three times in the Bible implies its occurrence is likely due to necessity, rather than being a commonly discussed topic. This limited use may indicate that scabs are seen as a symptom of a more significant issue, or that their presence is used as an illustrative example. Considering this, the term likely holds more symbolic or medical significance than being a frequent topic of discussion. Given its definition and restricted occurrences, the word מִסְפַּ֫חַת highlights the importance of addressing physical wounds, possibly in a larger context of spiritual or metaphorical healing, which warrants further investigation into its specific biblical contexts.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences across the text
The priest shall examine him again on the seventh day. Behold, if the plague has faded and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. It is a scab. He shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
Leviticus 13:7But if the scab spreads on the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall show himself to the priest again.
Leviticus 13:8The priest shall examine him; and behold, if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.