Kareth

Kareth is a term used primarily in ancient Hebrew religious law and biblical literature to describe a severe divine punishment, commonly translated as “cut off.” The concept denotes a penalty that involves severance from the community or from the divine presence, and it is treated as a grave sanction for certain offenses within the covenant between God and Israel. The exact nature of karêth is the subject of scholarly discussion; traditional readings often describe it as an outcome that may include death, but many interpretations emphasize social exclusion or spiritual termination rather than a simple human punishment.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from the Hebrew root k-r-t, meaning to cut off or sever. The noun karêt appears in several biblical passages, especially in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, where it is presented as a consequence for specific violations of ritual, moral, or covenantal norms. In translations, karêth is sometimes rendered as “excision,” “devastation,” or “being cut off.”

Religious and interpretive context: Karêth is discussed in the context of sacred law and community integrity, reinforcing boundaries around proper worship, ritual purity, and familial or covenantal relationships. The offenses associated with karêth range from idolatry to certain illicit sexual relations and other violations deemed severe within the covenant framework. Rabbinic and later Jewish literature distinguishes karêth from other penalties imposed by human authorities, framing it as a divine sanction whose exact manifestation may vary across traditions and historical periods.

Modern scholarship and usage: In contemporary study, karêth is examined as an aspect of ancient Israelite concepts of ritual purity, communal membership, and covenant accountability. The term frequently appears in discussions of biblical law, translation challenges, and the interpretation of ancient punishment concepts. See also karet, excommunication, and related covenantal terminology.