סַפַּחַת
𐤎𐤐𐤇𐤕
çappachath
H5597 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A skin disease marked by scaly patches causing hair loss, possibly akin to eczema, ringworm, or a type of chronic dermatological affliction in humans. In biblical contexts, often associated with ritual impurity and subject to priestly examination as described in Leviticus.
Semantic Range
scaly skin disease, patch, scab, mange, affliction causing hair loss
Root / Etymology
From the root סָפַח (saphach), 'to add, join, attach.' The noun סַפַּחַת (sappachat) derives either as a nominal designation of something 'attached' or 'spreading' on the skin, reflecting the visible spreading of the affliction rather than literal attachment.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Levitical texts (primarily Leviticus 13–14), סַפַּחַת is one of several terms for specific skin conditions requiring priestly assessment. Alongside בֹּהֶרֶת (boheret) and שְׂאֵת (se'et), it designates a patchy, spreading skin disease with attendant ritual consequences. The exact identification with a modern medical condition remains debated; eczema, psoriasis, ringworm, and various other diseases have been suggested, but none is certain. The term is part of a broader lexicon for conditions rendering Israelites ritually impure for the duration of the disease. Later translators (Septuagint, Vulgate) rendered the term as lepra or related words, though this should not be confused with modern 'leprosy' (Hansen's disease). In post-biblical Hebrew, the term is rarely used, with later rabbinic discussions focusing on ritual rather than medical aspects.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָפַח; the mange (as making the hair fall off); scab.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ספח (s-p-ḥ) — attach, join, add, be joined
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4555 | מִסְפָּחָה | the attached veils |
| H4556 | מִסְפַּחַת | the spreading skin-attachment |
| H4939 | מִשְׂפָּח | devastating slaughter |
| H5596 | סָפַח | from attaching oneself |
| H5599 | סָפִיחַ | self-added growth |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5597-02 |
וְ/לַ/סַּפַּ֖חַת | velasapachat | HC/Rd/Ncfsa |
and for a scab | and to the scaly-disease | 1 |
H5597-01 |
סַפַּ֨חַת֙ | sapachat | HNcfsa |
a scab | spreading skin-affliction | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5597-01 |
Leviticus 13:2 | סַפַּ֨חַת֙ | sapachat | HNcfsa |
a scab | spreading skin-affliction |
H5597-02 |
Leviticus 14:56 | וְ/לַ/סַּפַּ֖חַת | velasapachat | HC/Rd/Ncfsa |
and for a scab | and to the scaly-disease |