Lexical Summary patsa: To wound, to bruise Original Word: פָצַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wound A primitive root; to split, i.e. Wound -- wound. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to bruise, wound by bruising NASB Translation emasculated* (1), one (1), wounded (1), wounding* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָּצַע] verb bruise, wound by bruising (Late Hebrew split, bruise; Arabic  squeeze a ripe date, rub; Aramaic מְּצַע split); — Qal Perfect3plural suffix הִכּוּנִי מְּצָעוּנִי Songs 5:7; Infinitive absolute הַכֵּה וּפָצֹעַ 1 Kings 20:37 a smiting and a bruising (him); Participle Pass. construct מְּצוּעַדַּֿכָּה Deuteronomy 23:2 one wounded by crushing. Topical Lexicon Overview פָצַע (pātsaʿ) is a vivid verb describing the act of wounding by piercing, crushing, or otherwise inflicting bodily injury. Though it appears only three times in the Old Testament, each setting illumines a distinct facet of covenant life—holiness, prophetic warning, and intimate devotion—providing rich material for theology and ministry. Occurrences and Contexts “No man whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is severed may enter the LORD’s assembly.” “Then he found another man and said, ‘Strike me, please!’ So the man struck him and wounded him.” 3. Song of Songs 5:7 “The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city; they beat me, they wounded me, they took away my cloak, those watchmen of the walls.” Theological Themes • Holiness and Wholeness – Bodily mutilation in Deuteronomy 23:1 teaches that worshipers approach the LORD with fullness of life, anticipating the future promise of ultimate restoration (Isaiah 35:5-6). – The restriction also protects the sanctuary from pagan cultic practices involving castration, reinforcing separation from Canaanite religion (Deuteronomy 12:29-31). • Prophetic Symbolism of Injury – In 1 Kings 20, the wound validates the seriousness of God’s word. Prophetic dramatizations often employ physical signs (Ezekiel 24:24), reminding hearers that covenant violations bring tangible consequences. • Love Tested Through Suffering – Song of Songs 5:7 captures the paradox that intimacy with God can involve pain. The beloved’s perseverance amid wounds mirrors apostolic teaching: “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Historical Background • Ancient Near Eastern law codes sometimes excluded the physically mutilated from priestly functions, but Israel extends the principle to the entire assembly, elevating corporate holiness. Ministry Significance 1. Pastoral Care – The textual linkage between physical and spiritual wholeness encourages ministries of healing that address both body and soul (James 5:14-16). – Faithful proclamation may entail personal cost. Leaders should prepare congregations for opposition when confronting sin or injustice (2 Timothy 3:12). – Song of Songs invites believers to interpret trials as occasions to deepen desire for Christ, fostering resilience and hope (Philippians 3:10). Christological Reflections Though pātsaʿ itself is not used of the Messiah, its motif converges with prophetic portraits of the Suffering Servant: “He was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). The exclusion of the wounded in Deuteronomy magnifies the wonder that the One who was wounded opens the way for all, including eunuchs (Isaiah 56:3-5; Acts 8:26-39), to enter the new covenant assembly. Key Takeaways • Physical wounds in Scripture often point beyond themselves to spiritual realities—defilement, judgment, or devoted love. Forms and Transliterations וּפָצֹֽעַ׃ ופצע׃ פְצָע֑וּנִי פְצֽוּעַ־ פצוע־ פצעוני fetzaUni fetzua p̄ə·ṣā·‘ū·nî p̄ə·ṣū·a‘- p̄əṣā‘ūnî p̄əṣūa‘- ū·p̄ā·ṣō·a‘ ufaTzoa ūp̄āṣōa‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 23:1 HEB: לֹֽא־ יָבֹ֧א פְצֽוּעַ־ דַּכָּ֛א וּכְר֥וּת NAS: No one who is emasculated KJV: He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member INT: No shall enter one wounded cut 1 Kings 20:37 Songs 5:7 3 Occurrences |
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