צָרַב
𐤑𐤓𐤁
tsârab
H6866 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To burn or scorch, typically with fire or intense heat. The verb denotes the act of damaging, singeing, or parching something by means of burning. In its limited biblical attestation, it describes the process of burning as an act done to something, either intentionally or as a result of exposure to fire or heat. The primary lexical meaning involves the active application of fire, resulting in visible damage, rather than merely heating or warming.
Semantic Range
to burn, to scorch, to sear, to be parched or singed by fire or heat
Root / Etymology
Root: צרב. The root conveys the sense of burning, scorching, or singeing with fire or heat. From this root, צָרַב is the Qal verb meaning 'to burn' or 'to scorch.' It is morphologically related to other Semitic roots with connotations of burning or charring (cf. Arabic ṣaraba 'to fry over fire'), but the precise nuance in Hebrew remains focused on destructive burning or searing.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צָרַב (tsârab) is an uncommon verb in the Hebrew Bible, found in a very limited number of passages (occurring only once in Leviticus 13:28, where it describes a burn from fire on the skin). In context, it refers specifically to skin that has been seared or burned, impacting the description of skin conditions in purity laws. The term does not broadly refer to consuming fire (as does שָׂרַף, 'to burn, destroy by fire'), nor does it denote ritual or sacrificial burning. Later Hebrew does not substantially expand the root's meaning, and its attestation is rare outside Biblical Hebrew. English translations render it as 'burn,' but the nuance is closer to 'scorch' or 'sear.' The word is not commonly used for metaphorical burning (such as anger) nor for ritual fire; those senses are conveyed by other Hebrew verbs (e.g. בער 'to burn, blaze'). There is no indication of substantial semantic shift across Israelite history, as its attestation is too scarce to track diachronic development.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to burn; burn.
Bantu Hebrew
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צרב (ṣ-r-b) — burning, scorching, searing
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6867 | צָרֶבֶת | burn-sore |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6866-01 |
וְ/נִצְרְבוּ | venitserevu | HC/VNq3cp |
and-they-will-be-burned | and they were scorched | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6866-01 |
Ezekiel 21:3 | וְ/נִצְרְבוּ | venitserevu | HC/VNq3cp |
and-they-will-be-burned | and they were scorched |