גַּבַּחַת
𐤂𐤁𐤇𐤕
gabbachath
H1372 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bare or bald area, particularly a bald patch on the forehead; by extension, a smooth or bare patch on a surface, such as cloth. In physical description, specifically denotes the loss of hair on the frontal part of the head. In material contexts, describes a worn, threadbare, or smoothed spot.
Semantic Range
bald patch on the forehead, bare or smooth area on a surface (especially cloth), exposed or hairless portion
Root / Etymology
From the root ג-ב-ח (גבח), which conveys the idea of elevation, rising, or possibly exposing a surface. The noun גַּבַּחַת derives from this root, focusing on the concept of exposure by hair loss or wearing away, resulting in a bare or smooth area. The connection to baldness indicates a development from meaning 'elevated or exposed (surface)' to specifically an 'exposed (hairless) forehead'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, גַּבַּחַת primarily refers to a type of baldness distinct from regular hair loss, mentioned in Levitical skin disease regulations (Leviticus 13:41, 13:42, 13:43). It identifies a frontal baldness, requiring priestly inspection for ritual purposes. The term was later extended by analogy to designate a worn or bare spot, especially on fabric, showing a generalization of the semantic field from people to objects. The use in biblical ritual law reflects ancient Israelite concerns with distinguishing ritual impurity from ordinary physical traits; simply having a 'gabbachath' (forehead baldness) did not render a person unclean unless accompanied by specific signs. Modern translations often limit the term to 'bald forehead' or 'bald patch,' which captures the main sense but can obscure the broader application to worn surfaces.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as גִּבֵּחַ; baldness in the forehead; by analogy, a bare spot on the right side of cloth; bald forehead, [idiom] without.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גבח (g-b-ḥ) — to be elevated, to be prominent, to be bare by exposure
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1371 | גִּבֵּחַ | forehead-bald man |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1372-02 |
בְ/גַבַּחְתּֽ/וֹ | vegabacheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
in his bald forehead | in his exposed bald-patch | 3 | |
H1372-01 |
בַ/גַּבַּ֔חַת | vagabachat | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the bald forehead | bald forehead patch | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1372-01 |
Leviticus 13:42 | בַ/גַּבַּ֔חַת | vagabachat | HRd/Ncfsa |
in the bald forehead | bald forehead patch | |
H1372-02 |
Leviticus 13:42 | בְ/גַבַּחְתּֽ/וֹ | vegabacheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
in his bald forehead | in his exposed bald-patch | |
H1372-02 |
Leviticus 13:43 | בְ/גַבַּחְתּ֑/וֹ | vegabacheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
in his bald forehead | in his exposed bald-patch | |
H1372-02 |
Leviticus 13:55 | בְ/גַבַּחְתּֽ/וֹ | vegabacheto | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms |
on its forehead | in his exposed bald-patch |