מִסְפַּ֫חַת (mis.pa.chat)
mis.pa.chat
scab
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun mispaḥat refers to a skin eruption or scab, appearing exclusively in the Old Testament within the legal texts of Leviticus. In these passages, it describes a physical condition that renders a person ritually unclean if diagnosed as a specific type of skin disease by a priest.
Its usage is strictly medical-ritual rather than moral. The word does not imply divine punishment for sin but serves as a technical term in the purity laws. It appears alongside other dermatological conditions to help distinguish between contagious diseases and harmless skin marks, ensuring the community could maintain ritual hygiene.
Translators typically render mispaḥat as "scab" or "eruption," reflecting its concrete meaning. The word’s narrow scope highlights the ancient Israelite focus on observable physical signs as indicators of communal purity status, rather than internal spiritual states.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about skin conditions in Leviticus, it can feel distant from our daily lives. The word mispaḥat refers to a specific type of scab or eruption. In its original context, this was not a judgment on your character. It was a practical measure for community health and ritual purity.
God cared about the physical well-being of His people. By setting clear guidelines for these visible marks, He protected the group from potential illness. This shows that God is concerned with both our spiritual state and our bodily reality. He does not ignore the messy parts of human existence.
You might face moments where you feel marked by past mistakes or current struggles. Like the scab in Leviticus, these marks are visible to others. Yet, through proper care and time, healing is possible. God’s laws were designed to bring restoration, not shame. We can trust that He sees our whole person.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ skin rash2×
- [is] a skin rash1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִסְפַּ֣חַת1×
- הַ/מִּסְפַּ֙חַת֙1×
- הַ/מִּסְפַּ֖חַת1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 13:6
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.
This verse identifies the condition as a simple scab rather than a spreading disease, showing that not every skin mark requires permanent exclusion.
-
Leviticus 13:7
But 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.
The instruction to return if the scab spreads highlights the importance of ongoing observation and care in maintaining community health.
-
Leviticus 13:8
The priest shall examine him; and behold, if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.
Here the spread of the scab leads to a declaration of uncleanness, demonstrating how physical changes determined ritual status in ancient Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word mispaḥat mean?
Does having a scab mean someone was sinful?
Why is this word only in Leviticus?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Leviticus 3 verses
The priest shall examine him again on the seventh day. Behold, if the plague has faded and the plague hasn’t spread in…
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…
Leviticus 13:8The priest shall examine him; and behold, if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him…