Lexicon
נְבֵלָה
ne.ve.lah
H5038
H:N-F Hebrew

carcass

48
Occurrences
9
Books
Hebrew
Language

ne.ve.lah denotes a dead body, especially an animal found dead or a slain person left for burial, disposal, or scavengers.

The term most often identifies the body of a dead animal in instructions about touching, carrying, eating, or contact with it. It also identifies the body of a slain or dead person, particularly when it is exposed, buried, cast out, or given to birds and animals.

Senses in use

  1. Dead animal in purity and food instructions · dominant

    The construct noun identifies the dead remains of animals whose contact, handling, or consumption affects cleanness: in Leviticus 11:24 the APB renders the clause about touching “their carcass,” and Leviticus 11:40 speaks of eating from or carrying it. In Deuteronomy 14:21 and Ezekiel 44:31, the verse context concerns not eating an animal found dead.

  2. Dead human body after death or killing · common

    The construct noun also marks a person's dead body in accounts and pronouncements following death. In 1 Kings 13:29 the APB renders the prophet lifting the dead man's body for mourning and burial, while Deuteronomy 21:23 concerns a body not remaining overnight on a tree; Jeremiah 16:4 depicts such bodies becoming food for birds and animals.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “carcass” for the term in both animal-purity instructions and scenes involving dead people. In several verses it instead uses “body,” “corpses,” or “dead bodies”; These are contextual renderings of the clauses rather than fixed equivalents.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture