קָצַע (qa.tsa)
qa.tsa
to scrape; to corner
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qaṣaʿ is a rare word appearing only once in the Old Testament, found in Leviticus 14:41. In this context, it describes the physical process of scraping off the inside walls of a house. The text details the ritual purification of a dwelling affected by what was understood to be a contaminating mold or mildew, requiring the removal of the infected plaster before any new material could be applied.
Lexical sources indicate that the word carries the basic sense of scraping or cutting off surface layers. While some dictionaries note a secondary nuance related to being "cornered" or having corners made, the immediate biblical usage focuses on the act of removal. The command is specific: scrape the house thoroughly, throwing the removed dust outside the city in an unclean place.
This single occurrence highlights the tangible nature of ritual purity in ancient Israel. The cleansing process was not merely symbolic but involved concrete labor. By scraping away the damaged material, the community addressed a physical problem that had spiritual implications, restoring the home to a state suitable for habitation and worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qaṣaʿ appears only once in Scripture, describing the physical act of scraping away infected plaster from a house wall. This was not a symbolic gesture but a necessary step to remove contamination and restore safety to the home. It reminds us that spiritual cleansing often requires honest, tangible effort rather than just words.
When we face brokenness or sin in our lives, we are invited to do the hard work of removal. Like the householder who scraped away the damaged mortar, we must be willing to take out what harms us and throw it outside the city limits. This process prepares the ground for something new and clean to be applied.
You do not have to carry this burden alone. God provides the means for restoration when we are willing to engage in the work of renewal. May you find peace in knowing that He is with you as you clear away what no longer serves your well-being.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will scrape1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַקְצִ֥עַ1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 14:41
He shall cause the inside of the house to be scraped all over. They shall pour out the mortar that they scraped off outside of the city into an unclean place.
This verse commands the thorough scraping of the house interior, showing that purification requires removing the infected material before any rebuilding can occur.