In the context of the Bible, the term "dwarf" appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Leviticus. The Hebrew word translated as "dwarf" is "dak," which refers to someone of small stature or with a physical deformity. This term is mentioned in the context of the Levitical laws concerning the qualifications for priesthood.

Biblical Reference:

Leviticus 21:16-23 provides the primary reference to dwarfs in the Bible. In this passage, God gives Moses instructions regarding the physical qualifications required for the descendants of Aaron to serve as priests. The passage states:

"The LORD said to Moses, 'Say to Aaron: None of your descendants throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the food of his God. No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed; no man who has a broken foot or hand, or who is a hunchback or dwarf, or who has an eye defect, a festering rash, scabs, or a crushed testicle. No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the offerings made by fire to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he must not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food, yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, so as not to desecrate My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.'"

Theological Implications:

The mention of physical defects, including being a dwarf, in the context of priestly service highlights the Old Testament emphasis on physical wholeness and purity as symbolic of spiritual perfection and holiness. The priests, who served as mediators between God and the people, were required to be without physical blemish to reflect the holiness and perfection of God. This requirement underscores the importance of holiness and the separation between the sacred and the profane in the worship practices of ancient Israel.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical deformities were often viewed with stigma and could be seen as a sign of divine disfavor or judgment. However, the Levitical law does not imply moral or spiritual inferiority of those with physical defects. Instead, it sets apart the priesthood as a special class with specific requirements to maintain the sanctity of the tabernacle and later the temple.

Application in Christian Theology:

In the New Testament, the emphasis shifts from physical perfection to spiritual integrity and holiness. Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest, fulfills the requirements of the law and offers a new covenant where all believers, regardless of physical condition, are called to be a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). The focus is on the inner transformation and spiritual wholeness that comes through faith in Christ.

The mention of dwarfs in Leviticus serves as a reminder of the Old Testament's ceremonial laws and their fulfillment in Christ, who makes all believers acceptable before God, not based on physical attributes but through His righteousness.A lean or emaciated person (Leviticus 21:20). 1. (n.) An animal or plant which is much below the ordinary size of its species or kind; especially, a diminutive human being.

2. (v. t.) To hinder from growing to the natural size; to make or keep small; to stunt.

3. (v. i.) To become small; to diminish in size.

DWARF

dworf:

The rendering in English Versions of the Bible of the Hebrew word dak, "thin," "small," in Leviticus 21:20, where a list is given of physical failings which forbade man of the seed of Aaron to officiate at the altar, though he might partake of the sacrificial gifts. The precise meaning of the Hebrew word here is uncertain; elsewhere it is used of the lean kine (Genesis 41:3) and blasted ears (verse 23) of Pharaoh's dream; of the grains of manna (Exodus 16:14), of the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), of dust (Isaiah 29:5), etc. Septuagint and Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) suggest defective eyes; but "withered" would perhaps best express the meaning. See PRIESTS AND LEVITES.

F. K. Farr

2849. kolazo -- to chastise
... 2849 -- properly, to dwarf, mutilate (curtail); used of punishing slaves to them;
hence, to (cause ) to ("dock/check," ), ie in a way that restrains (impedes ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2849.htm - 6k1851. daq -- thin, small, fine
... Word Origin from daqaq Definition thin, small, fine NASB Word Usage dwarf (1), fine
(3), fine dust (1), finely ground (1), gaunt* (2), gentle (1), thin (5). ...
/hebrew/1851.htm - 6k

Saint George Releases the Six Champions.
... Then off they set. "Nothing worth having can be gained without toil and
trouble," observed the Dwarf, as he parted from the Prince. ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter two saint george releases.htm

Troubles of Lingering at the Crossing
... The strongest pilgrims warned Exactly of the pernicious plots of this little,
hard old dwarf, but he seemed not to heed their warnings. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter four troubles of lingering.htm

Arria and Her Mother Sat with the Emperor. ...
... timbrels. Julia retired presently, and returned soon with her pet dwarf Cenopas. ...
down. He had a hard, unlovely face, that little dwarf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 5 arria and her.htm

The Birth of Saint George.
... She had numerous attendants to do her will. Among them was a dwarf, a misshapen,
ill-favoured creature. ... Crumpleback was the dwarf's name. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter one the birth of.htm

April 21:
... 21-Apr. April 21st. You can dwarf a soul just as you can dwarf a plant,
by depriving it of a full environment. Such a soul for a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/april 21 0.htm

The Transfiguration.
... then, through corn-fields where the pear tree supplants the fig; next, through oak
coppice, and up rocky ravines to where the soil is dotted with dwarf shrubs. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the transfiguration.htm

Expatriation
... village. From the tunnel-like entrance between the dwarf pylons a light
was diffused as though it came through thin hangings. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

Death and Life in Christ
... let God the Holy Spirit give to us once again the bold and clear preaching of Christ
crucified in all simplicity and earnestness, and the dwarf shall swell ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/death and life in christ.htm

Choosing the Tens
... Without, in the avenues, vaguely outlined by the slowly rising structures on either
side, were low-riding, long, heavy, dwarf-wheeled vehicles and sledges to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
... character of many a sacred Narrative,"are no less dangerous enemies of God's Word
than those who frame unworthy theories in order to dwarf Inspiration to the ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vi the doctrine of.htm

Dwarf (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vi) To become small; to diminish in size. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DWARF. ... FK Farr. Multi-Version Concordance Dwarf (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/dwarf.htm - 8k

Kelita (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Dwarf, a Levite who assisted Ezra in expounding the law
to the people (Nehemiah 8:7; 10:10). ... kel'-i-ta, ke-li'-ta (qeliTa' "dwarf"). ...
/k/kelita.htm - 7k

Dwarfed (3 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Dwarf. ... Leviticus 21:20 or crook-backed, or a dwarf, or that hath his eye
overspread, or is scabbed, or scurvy, or hath his stones crushed; (See NIV). ...
/d/dwarfed.htm - 7k

Overspread (2 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 or crook-backed, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye,
or is scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; (See JPS). ...
/o/overspread.htm - 7k

Lentils (4 Occurrences)
... King James Version Lentiles): These are undoubtedly identical with the Arabic `adas,
a small, reddish bean, the product of Ervum lens, a dwarf leguminous plant ...
/l/lentils.htm - 9k

Grub (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The larva of an insect, especially of a beetle; -- called also grubworm.
6. (n.) A short, thick man; a dwarf. 7. (n.) Victuals; food. ...
/g/grub.htm - 7k

Itching (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye,
or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles; (WEB RSV). ...
/i/itching.htm - 7k

Itch (11 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye,
or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles; (Root in WEB DBY ...
/i/itch.htm - 11k

Festering (7 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye,
or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles; (See NIV). ...
/f/festering.htm - 8k

Testicles (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 21:20 or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye,
or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles; (WEB DBY NAS RSV ...
/t/testicles.htm - 7k

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