מְרוֹחַ
bruised, i.e. emasculated
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְרוֹחַ (mᵉrôwach) refers to a specific physical condition of being 'bruised' or 'crushed,' particularly in the context of male genitalia. It is used exclusively in Leviticus 21:20 to describe a man whose testicles are 'crushed' or 'bruised.' This condition is listed among other physical defects that disqualify a descendant of Aaron from serving as a priest and offering food offerings to God. The term denotes a state of serious, likely permanent, physical damage.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only once in the entire Old Testament, in Leviticus 21:20. It is used in a legal and ritual context within the Holiness Code, specifically in the list of physical blemishes that render a priest unfit for officiating at the altar. The usage is highly specific and technical, pertaining to priestly qualifications.
Etymology
מְרוֹחַ is a passive participle derived from the root verb מָרַח (mārach, H4799), which means 'to rub, to polish, to spread.' The passive form here conveys the sense of 'being rubbed or bruised,' indicating an injury inflicted upon the body.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights the concept of ritual purity and wholeness required for those who approach God in priestly service. The physical wholeness of the priest was symbolic of spiritual integrity and fitness to represent the people before a holy God (Leviticus 21:17-23). Understanding this term underscores the seriousness with which God viewed the sanctity of worship and the mediators of the old covenant, pointing forward to the need for a perfect, unblemished High Priest in Jesus Christ.
In ancient Israelite culture, physical perfection was closely tied to ritual holiness, especially for priests. A crushed testicle (מְרוֹחַ) was seen not just as a medical condition but as a ritual defect that marred the symbolic 'wholeness' required to serve at the altar. This reflects a worldview where the physical and spiritual realms were deeply interconnected.
שָׁבוּר (shāvûr, H7665) — A more general term for 'broken,' often used for objects or bones. מְרוֹחַ is a more specific term for a crushing injury to male genitalia.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →