Lexical Summary sheqaarurah: Falsehood, Deception Original Word: שְׁקַעְרוּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hollow strake From shaqa'; a depression -- hollow strake. see HEBREW shaqa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as qearah Definition depression, hollow NASB Translation depressions (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שְׁקַעֲרוּרָה] noun feminine depression, hollow (on formation see Ges§ 55f); — plural שְׁקַעֲרוּרֹת Leviticus 14:37 in wall. Topical Lexicon Occurrence in Scripture The noun appears a single time, describing the characteristic “depressions that appear deeper than the surface of the wall” (Leviticus 14:37). It forms part of the diagnostic language given to the priest when evaluating a house suspected of “plague.” The Levitical Context Leviticus 14:33–53 extends the laws of skin and garment disease (Leviticus 13) to architecture. Covenant life reached even into masonry, underscoring that nothing in Israel’s community was outside the Lord’s claim of holiness. The priest—acting as both health officer and spiritual guardian—was to determine whether the discoloration was merely surface stain or a destructive contagion warranting removal of stones, scraping, or demolition (14:40–45). Physical and Diagnostic Features The depressions indicated an invasive growth, likely caused by moisture-borne fungi or mineral leaching beneath the plaster. Ancient dwellings were built of fieldstones or mud-brick coated with lime. When moisture entered through cracks, it created small hollow spots that darkened to green or red, signaling structural decay. By requiring the priest to judge whether the blotches were “deeper,” the Law protected households from hidden threats while teaching the people to discern between superficial blemishes and underlying corruption. Historical and Cultural Background Archaeology confirms that Iron-Age Israelite homes were vulnerable to mold and efflorescence. Stone replacement or full razing, as prescribed (Leviticus 14:41-45), would have been costly, yet the covenant prioritized communal purity over personal expense. The requirement that the priest re-inspect after seven days parallels the quarantine cycles for human skin disease, rooting environmental health in the same rhythms of holiness. Spiritual and Theological Themes 1. Depth versus Surface: The depressions illustrate that impurity can lie beneath an apparently solid façade, echoing the verdict on skin disease, “the infection has penetrated below the surface” (Leviticus 13:3). Connections to Personal and Corporate Holiness The inspection of depressions confronts believers with the call to self-examination: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). Just as stones were removed before rot spread, unrighteous attitudes must be cut away (Colossians 3:5-8). Leaders, like the Levitical priests, are entrusted to discern and address spiritual decay within the fellowship (Hebrews 13:17). Foreshadowings of Christ and the Gospel Christ, the true High Priest, enters the house—His church—to expose what lies beneath, cleanse through His sacrifice, and dwell by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22). The demolishing of an incurable house anticipates divine judgment on the unrepentant (Revelation 20:11-15), while the rebuilding points to the New Jerusalem where no impurity can enter (Revelation 21:27). Ministry Applications Today • Facilities Stewardship: Churches and families should steward their dwellings responsibly, recognizing that physical neglect can parallel spiritual decline. Thus, the solitary appearance of this term anchors a wide-ranging theology of holiness that embraces bodies, garments, houses, and ultimately the entire people of God, pointing forward to the perfect purity secured in Christ. Forms and Transliterations שְׁקַֽעֲרוּרֹת֙ שקערורת šə·qa·‘ă·rū·rōṯ šəqa‘ărūrōṯ shekaaruRotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 14:37 HEB: בְּקִירֹ֣ת הַבַּ֔יִת שְׁקַֽעֲרוּרֹת֙ יְרַקְרַקֹּ֔ת א֖וֹ NAS: reddish depressions and appears KJV: of the house with hollow strakes, greenish INT: the walls of the house depressions has greenish or 1 Occurrence |
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