גָּרַד
𐤂𐤓𐤃
gârad
H1623 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To scrape, scratch, or abrade a surface, typically with the intent of removing an outer layer or cleaning. The verb emphasizes the physical action of scraping off or away, whether of skin, surface, or impurity.
Semantic Range
to scrape a surface, to scratch off a layer, to abrade infected material, to remove by scraping
Root / Etymology
Root: גרד. Derived directly from the primary sense of the root, which indicates the action of scraping or abrading. There is no evidence of a broader metaphoric or abstract development from this root; it is used only in literal, physical contexts.
Historical & Contextual Notes
גָּרַד is a rarely used verb in the Hebrew Bible, attested primarily in Leviticus in instructions pertaining to ritual purity and the treatment of skin disease, particularly tzara‘at. In these passages, the word occurs in the context of scraping the inside of a house or vessel to remove contaminated material. The verb does not acquire broader metaphorical or idiomatic uses elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew, nor does it serve as a technical term for general cleaning. It is distinct from verbs such as טהר (to purify) or רחץ (to wash), which have wider ritual or hygienic application. Later Hebrew literature continues to use derivatives (such as גרידה, 'scraping') in a similar, physical sense. Standard English translations render the term with 'scrape' or 'abrade,' which adequately conveys its meaning in context. No anachronistic religious or ethnic identity terms are implied by its usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to abrade; scrape.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גרד (g-r-d) — to scrape, to abrade, to scratch
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1623-01 |
לְ/הִתְגָּרֵ֖ד | lehitegared | HR/Vtc |
to scrape himself | to scrape oneself | to scrape himself | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1623-01 |
Job 2:8 | לְ/הִתְגָּרֵ֖ד | lehitegared | HR/Vtc |
to scrape himself | to scrape oneself | to scrape himself |