The meaning, cause, and remedy of the biblical ‫צרעת‬ have been the source of much debate. Traditional translations have rendered the word as leprosy, usually with the somewhat confusing caveat that despite the retention of leprosy, it does not mean leprosy. The root צרע‬ yields our problematic ‫צרעת‬ , proper names, and three occurrences of a stinging insect capable of chasing out Hivites, Canaanites, Hittites, and two Amorite kings! Shapira’s MSS sensibly suggests a more dangerous fiend to the Canaanites than a hornet-the dreaded ‫צרעת‬.