Lexical Summary bohaq: Bright spot, whiteness Original Word: בֹּהק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance freckled spot From an unused root meaning to be pale; white scurf -- freckled spot. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition tetter NASB Translation eczema (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֹּ֫הַק noun masculine a harmless eruption on the skin (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic בּוֺהֲקָא; Arabic  ) Leviticus 13:39. בהר (Late Hebrew Hiph`il be bright, shine; compare Aramaic בְּהַר, Topical Lexicon Meaning and Context בֹּהק appears once in Scripture, within the laws of skin ailments in Leviticus 13:39. It denotes a dull, non-inflammatory white spot regarded as medically and ceremonially harmless. While other lesions could render an Israelite unclean and isolate him from the community, בֹּהק carried no such penalty. By divine instruction, the priest—Israel’s public health officer—was to “examine them, and if the spots on their skin are dull white, it is a harmless rash… the person is clean” (Leviticus 13:39). Historical Background Ancient Near Eastern societies often feared skin disorders, attributing them to divine displeasure. The Mosaic Law provided an objective, priest-administered diagnostic process that distinguished between contagious or defiling disease and benign conditions. This spared individuals with בֹּהק from unnecessary exclusion while maintaining communal health. The text underscores Israel’s unique balance of holiness and mercy, contrasting with pagan cultures that frequently stigmatized any visible blemish. Theological Significance 1. Holiness with Justice: The differentiation of בֹּהק from more serious eruptions illustrates God’s fairness; He does not burden His people with arbitrary rituals. Practical Ministry Insights • Discernment: Pastoral care must distinguish between moral failure demanding confrontation and mere human frailty requiring compassion, echoing the priest’s careful evaluation. Christological Foreshadowing As the priest’s verdict released the afflicted from anxiety and isolation, so Christ’s pronouncement of forgiveness liberates the believer (Mark 2:5). He perfectly discriminates between what truly defiles (Matthew 15:18-20) and what is inconsequential, fulfilling the law’s intention and embodying its compassion. Related Biblical Themes and References • Laws of skin disease: Leviticus 13–14 Summary בֹּהק highlights the precision of God’s holiness code, the mercy woven into His law, and the anticipatory glimpse of Christ’s discerning, liberating ministry. Forms and Transliterations בֹּ֥הַק בהק bō·haq Bohak bōhaqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 13:39 HEB: כֵּה֣וֹת לְבָנֹ֑ת בֹּ֥הַק ה֛וּא פָּרַ֥ח NAS: white, it is eczema that has broken KJV: white; it [is] a freckled spot [that] groweth INT: faint white is eczema that has broken |
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(not Pe`al) & derivatives; Ethiopic 
Arabic 
surpass, especially in brightness, shine brightly).