Lexical Summary tsahob: yellowish Original Word: צָהֹב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance yellow From tsahab; golden in color -- yellow. see HEBREW tsahab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsaheb Definition gleaming, yellow NASB Translation yellowish (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs צָהֹב adjective gleaming, yellow (of hair); — ׳שֵׂעָר צ Leviticus 13:30,32,36 (opposed to שָׁחֹר ׳שׂ Leviticus 13:31; Leviticus 13:37). Topical Lexicon Scriptural Setting צָהֹב appears exclusively within the priestly regulations for skin disease (Leviticus 13:30, 32, 36). Each instance describes hair that is “yellow and thin” in a suspicious spot on the scalp or beard. “The priest is to examine the infection, and if it appears deeper than the skin and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean” (Leviticus 13:30). Function in Levitical Diagnosis 1. Indicator of Depth The unusual color and texture signal that the disorder has penetrated below the surface, warranting the verdict “unclean.” Historical and Cultural Background Natural Israelite hair tones ranged from dark brown to black. A patch of pale‐yellow, lifeless strands would have stood out starkly, alerting priest and community alike. Similar diagnostic use of discoloration is attested in contemporary Mesopotamian medical texts, yet Israel uniquely embedded such observations within covenantal holiness rather than mere civic hygiene. Symbolic and Theological Implications • Departure from Created Order A distorted hue in the body reflects the disruptive power of sin in the created realm. Ministry Applications • Pastoral Discernment Leaders today must distinguish between surface issues and deeper spiritual maladies, exercising both compassion and firmness. Christological Fulfillment The meticulous search for discoloration foreshadows the Messiah who, though “without blemish,” bore humanity’s defilement and granted cleansing far surpassing ritual water or sacrificial blood (1 Peter 1:18–19). Whereas צָהֹב signaled exclusion, Christ’s healing touch welcomed lepers (Matthew 8:2–3), proving that holiness is no longer merely the absence of impurity but the presence of the Holy One Himself. Summary צָהֹב, though a small detail, serves the larger biblical narrative by highlighting the seriousness of impurity, the necessity of priestly mediation, and the ultimate hope of comprehensive cleansing fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַצָּהֹ֖ב הצהב צָהֹ֑ב צָהֹ֖ב צהב haṣ·ṣā·hōḇ haṣṣāhōḇ hatztzaHo ṣā·hōḇ ṣāhōḇ tzaHoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 13:30 HEB: וּב֛וֹ שֵׂעָ֥ר צָהֹ֖ב דָּ֑ק וְטִמֵּ֨א NAS: and there is thin yellowish hair KJV: than the skin; [and there be] in it a yellow thin INT: the skin hair yellowish is thin shall pronounce Leviticus 13:32 Leviticus 13:36 3 Occurrences |
    |