גָּרָב
𐤂𐤓𐤁
gârâb
H1618 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A pathological skin condition characterized by a crusty, scab-like appearance, often associated with itching or scaling, possibly indicative of a disease involving ulceration or infection of the skin. Used in legal and medical contexts in ancient Israelite society, especially in the ritual laws of Leviticus, as a specific type of affliction rendering individuals or animals temporarily unfit for participation in communal religious life.
Semantic Range
ulcerated scab, crusted sore, skin affliction with scaling or exfoliation, pathological lesion, condition rendering ritually unfit
Root / Etymology
Root: גָּרַב (likely from an unused root meaning 'to scratch' or 'to scrape'). The term appears to be a nominal form denoting a skin lesion, specifically a scab or crusted sore resulting from scratching or irritation. The root is not attested elsewhere in biblical Hebrew; the noun is derived as a designation for the pathological result of scratching the skin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
גָּרָב occurs only in specific legal-ritual contexts (notably Leviticus 21:20; 22:22) describing prohibitions against persons or animals with certain physical conditions from approaching the altar or being presented as offerings. The disease's exact medical identity is debated—it likely refers to a chronic dermatological condition characterized by scaling, crusting, and potential ulceration, rather than merely a simple scab from injury. English terms like 'scab' or 'scurvy' (the latter of which refers to a different disease in modern usage) only approximate the specific connotations of the Hebrew, which denote a ritually disqualifying skin affliction. In post-biblical usage, the term does not appear, and rabbinic literature often seeks to clarify or expand upon the nature of these conditions. The word is always paired in context with other disqualifying skin or bodily ailments, marking a person or animal as blemished and thus unfit for consecrated roles or offerings.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to scratch; scurf (from itching); scab, scurvy.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גערב (g-ʿ-r-b) — to scratch, to scrape
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1618-01 |
גָרָב֙ | garav | HNcmsa |
itch | ulcerated scab | 2 |
H1618-02 |
וּ/בַ/גָּרָ֖ב | uvagarav | HC/Rd/Ncmsa |
and with itch | and with a crusted scab | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1618-01 |
Leviticus 21:20 | גָרָב֙ | garav | HNcmsa |
scab | ulcerated scab |
H1618-01 |
Leviticus 22:22 | גָרָב֙ | garav | HNcmsa |
itch | ulcerated scab |
H1618-02 |
Deuteronomy 28:27 | וּ/בַ/גָּרָ֖ב | uvagarav | HC/Rd/Ncmsa |
and with itch | and with a crusted scab |