אֲבַעְבֻּעָה

אֲבַעְבֻּעָה

an inflammatory pustule (as eruption)

Definition

The Hebrew word אֲבַעְבֻּעָה refers to a severe, inflammatory skin pustule or blister, specifically describing a painful, eruptive boil. It appears exclusively in the context of the sixth plague against Egypt in Exodus, where it is inflicted upon both humans and animals as a divine judgment. The term denotes a physically conspicuous and distressing affliction, emphasizing the tangible and humiliating nature of the plague. No other biblical passages use this word, so its meaning is confined to this specific event.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in Exodus 9:9-10, describing the plague of boils. It is applied to the affliction that broke out on the Egyptians and their animals after Moses threw soot into the air. The usage is entirely within a narrative of divine judgment, highlighting a direct, physical consequence of Pharaoh's defiance.

Etymology

Derived by reduplication from an unused root meaning 'to belch forth' or 'to bubble up,' the word's form vividly mimics the eruptive, bubbling nature of the skin condition it describes. This poetic construction emphasizes the sudden, violent appearance of the boils.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it names a specific instrument of God's judgment in the Exodus narrative. The boils represent a direct assault on the health and dignity of the Egyptians, demonstrating Yahweh's power over the physical realm and challenging Egyptian notions of divine protection and purity. Understanding this specific term enriches the reading by highlighting the intentional and degrading nature of this plague, which may have been seen as an affront to Egyptian gods associated with healing. In the ancient Near East, skin diseases were often viewed not just as medical issues but as signs of divine disfavor or impurity. For the Egyptians, a people highly concerned with ritual purity and bodily integrity, such a visible, eruptive affliction would have been particularly humiliating and disruptive to religious and social life. The specificity of the term underscores the severity and intentional shame of the plague. שְׁחִין (sheḥin, H7822) — a more general term for a boil or ulcer, used in other contexts like the affliction of Job (Job 2:7).

Word Details