שְׁקַעְרוּרָה
a depression
Definition
The Hebrew word שְׁקַעְרוּרָה refers to a depression, hollow, or sunken area in a surface. It specifically denotes a physical indentation, likely in a wall or plaster, as described in its sole biblical occurrence. The term is used in the context of diagnosing ritual impurity in a house, where such a depression in the wall's plaster could indicate the presence of a spreading fungal or mold-like affliction (Leviticus 14:37). There are no other major senses or meanings attested in the biblical text, as it appears only once.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Leviticus 14:37. It appears within the detailed priestly laws concerning the inspection of houses for a 'plague' (צָרַעַת, often translated as 'leprosy' or 'mold'). The context is purely ritual and diagnostic, describing the physical features a priest must examine to determine ceremonial cleanliness. The usage is technical and confined to this legal passage.
Etymology
The noun שְׁקַעְרוּרָה is derived from the root verb שָׁקַע (H8257), which means 'to sink down, subside, or settle.' This root conveys the idea of descending or becoming low. The noun form, through its specific morphology, denotes the result or place of that sinking action—hence, a 'sinking' or 'depression.' It is a concrete term related to physical topography or surfaces.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a mundane architectural term, its theological significance lies entirely in its context within the Levitical purity laws (Leviticus 14). It is part of the system God instituted to teach Israel about holiness, the pervasive nature of sin and impurity, and the need for careful inspection and cleansing. Understanding this specific term highlights the meticulous detail and tangible nature of Old Testament ritual law, which pointed to the need for spiritual cleansing ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, the inspection of houses for mold or fungal growths had practical health and ritual dimensions. The identification of a 'depression' (שְׁקַעְרוּרָה) in the plaster was a diagnostic criterion within a prescribed religious procedure, not merely a construction issue. This reflects a worldview where physical conditions could have spiritual implications, and maintaining ritual purity extended to one's dwelling place.
גּוּמָּץ (gummats, H1472) — a pit or deep hollow, often for water; שַׁחַת (shachath, H7845) — a pit, ditch, or grave, often with destructive connotations.
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.
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