שְׁכָבָה
a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act)
Definition
The noun שְׁכָבָה (shᵉkâbâh) primarily means 'a lying down' or 'the act of lying down.' It has two distinct biblical senses. First, it describes the physical settling or deposit of dew, as seen in Exodus 16:13-14 where the dew 'lay' around the Israelite camp. Second, and more frequently, it is a euphemism for sexual intercourse, specifically the act of lying together. This usage is concentrated in Leviticus, referring to seminal emission (Leviticus 15:16-18), illicit sexual relations (Leviticus 19:20), and ritual impurity contracted from such acts (Leviticus 15:32; 22:4).
Biblical Usage
This word is used nine times, almost exclusively in the legal and ritual texts of the Pentateuch (Exodus and Leviticus). Its usage splits clearly by context. In Exodus 16:13-14, it describes the natural phenomenon of dew settling. All other occurrences (seven times in Leviticus) use it as a technical, euphemistic term for sexual relations, particularly in laws concerning ritual purity (טומאה) and holiness. It is a formal term within the priestly legislation.
Etymology
Derived from the common Hebrew root שָׁכַב (shakav, H7901), meaning 'to lie down, to recline.' The noun form שְׁכָבָה is a feminine noun indicating the action or state of lying down. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of reclining or resting. Its meaning developed from the general physical act to specific, context-driven applications like the settling of dew or the intimate 'lying' of sexual intercourse.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it bridges the concepts of creation, covenant, and purity. The 'lying down' of dew in Exodus 16 is part of God's miraculous provision of manna, highlighting His sustenance. In Leviticus, its use in purity laws (e.g., Leviticus 15) underscores that human sexuality, while a gift, has implications for one's ritual status before a holy God. Understanding this term enriches reading by showing how physical acts were integrated into Israel's framework of holiness, separating the common from the sacred.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, bodily discharges were widely seen as sources of ritual impurity, not necessarily moral sin. The use of שְׁכָבָה as a polite, indirect term for sex reflects a cultural tendency to use euphemisms for intimate acts. The laws in Leviticus treating seminal emission as ritually defiling (requiring washing and waiting until evening) were unique to Israel's holiness code, setting them apart from surrounding cultures and teaching that all of life, including sexuality, was under God's purview.
מִשְׁכָּב (mishkav, H4904) — A broader term for a bed, couch, or act of lying; often used in similar euphemistic contexts but can refer to the place itself. עֶרְוָה (ʿervah, H6172) — Refers to 'nakedness' or 'exposure,' often used in prohibitions against illicit sexual relations, focusing more on the violation than the act itself.
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 →