Lexical Summary shekabah: Lying down, layer, act of lying Original Word: שְׁכָבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance copulation, seed From shakab; a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act) -- X carnally, copulation, X lay, seed. see HEBREW shakab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shakab Definition (act of) lying, a layer NASB Translation carnally* (1), emission (5), intercourse* (1), layer (2), seminal* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שְׁכָבָה] noun feminine act of lying, layer; — only construct שִׁכְבַת all P; — 1 act of lying, as accusative of congnate meaning with verb with שׁכב 3: שִׁכְבַתזָֿ֑רַע Leviticus 15:18 a man lies with her a lying of seed (in copulation), compare Leviticus 19:20; Numbers 5:13; then ( = semen), תֵּצֵא שִׁכְבַתזָֿ֑רַע Leviticus 15:16,32; Leviticus 22:4 (+ מִמֶּנּוּ), ׳ז ׳שׁ alone Leviticus 15:17. 2 layer of dew, שִׁכְבַת הַטָּ֑ל Exodus 16:13,14 (P). Topical Lexicon Biblical Usageשְׁכָבָה appears nine times and clusters around two broad contexts: daily provision in the wilderness (Exodus 16) and purity or sexual regulations within the Levitical code and the jealousy procedure (Leviticus 15; 19; 22; Numbers 5). The root idea of “lying” or “a layer” naturally extends from a physical layer of dew to the lying-down connected with seminal emission or illicit intercourse. Divine Provision in the Wilderness Exodus 16:13–14 employs the word for the “layer” that covered the ground: “That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes like frost on the ground…”. The term underscores the gentle, comprehensive sufficiency of Yahweh’s provision. The dew lay as a blanket over the camp, mirroring the daily faithfulness of God. New Testament readers hear an echo of John 6, where Jesus identifies Himself as the true bread from heaven; the physical layer points forward to the incarnate provision of life. Ceremonial Purity and Bodily Emissions Leviticus 15:16-18; 15:32; and 22:4 use שְׁכָבָה for seminal emission. The legislation teaches three enduring principles: 1. Holiness is holistic. Even involuntary bodily functions fall under divine jurisdiction, reminding Israel that every aspect of life is lived before God. Sexual Morality and Social Justice Leviticus 19:20 addresses a man who “lies carnally with a woman who is a slave designated for another man.” שְׁכָבָה marks the act, and the passage safeguards a vulnerable woman while upholding moral order. There is accountability—“there must be due punishment”—yet mercy: death is not required because the woman lacked freedom. The verse balances justice with compassion, anticipating the gospel’s concern for the oppressed. Numbers 5:13 situates the word in the ordeal of jealousy. The possibility that a woman was “secretly defiled” invokes שְׁכָבָה to denote adulterous lying. The ritual protects marital fidelity while guarding the innocent from false accusation, placing ultimate judgment in the Lord’s hands. Implications for Priestly Ministry Because שְׁכָבָה often involves impurity, it directly affects priestly service. Any priest experiencing an emission (Leviticus 22:4) must withdraw from the holy things. The requirement emphasizes: • The necessity of continual vigilance in ministry. Theological and Christological Perspectives 1. Provision: The “layer” of manna points to Christ as daily bread (John 6:32-35). Application for Believers Today • Dependence: Just as Israel collected manna every morning, believers seek fresh grace each day. שְׁכָבָה, whether describing a shimmering blanket of dew or the most private human act, weaves together themes of provision, purity, and promise, urging God’s people to rely fully on His daily grace and to pursue holiness in every sphere of life. Forms and Transliterations שִׁכְבַ֣ת שִׁכְבַת־ שכבת שכבת־ shichVat šiḵ·ḇaṯ šiḵ·ḇaṯ- šiḵḇaṯ šiḵḇaṯ-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 16:13 HEB: וּבַבֹּ֗קֶר הָֽיְתָה֙ שִׁכְבַ֣ת הַטַּ֔ל סָבִ֖יב NAS: and in the morning there was a layer of dew KJV: the dew lay round about INT: the morning came A layer of dew around Exodus 16:14 Leviticus 15:16 Leviticus 15:17 Leviticus 15:18 Leviticus 15:32 Leviticus 19:20 Leviticus 22:4 Numbers 5:13 9 Occurrences |
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