from פָּדָה and צוּר; a rock (i.e. God) has ransomed; Pedahtsur, an Israelite; Pedahzur.
Transliteration:Pᵉdâhtsûwr
Pronunciation:ped-aw-tsoor'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew name פְּדָהצוּר (Pᵉdâhtsûwr, `{{H6301}}`) is a compound theophoric name, rich in theological meaning. It is derived from two distinct Hebrew roots: פָּדָה (padah, `{{H6299}}`) and צוּר (tsur, `{{H6697}}`).
The root פָּדָה (padah, `{{H6299}}`) signifies "to ransom," "to redeem," or "to deliver." It conveys the idea of liberation through payment or intervention, often in the context of freeing from bondage, danger, or obligation. This concept is central to the biblical narrative of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the broader theme of salvation.
The root צוּר (tsur, `{{H6697}}`) literally means "rock" or "cliff." In a literal sense, it refers to a physical geological formation. However, in biblical usage, it very frequently serves as a powerful metaphor for God. When applied to God, "Rock" denotes His unshakeable stability, His enduring faithfulness, His strength, and His role as a secure refuge and foundation. Examples include God as the "Rock of Israel" or the "Rock of Salvation."
Combining these two elements, Pᵉdâhtsûwr (פְּדָהצוּר) carries the profound meaning, "A Rock (i.e., God) has ransomed" or "The Rock has redeemed." The name itself is a declaration of faith, testifying to God's redemptive power and His steadfast nature as a deliverer. It encapsulates a core tenet of Israelite theology: that their God is both their unyielding foundation and their active rescuer.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Pᵉdâhtsûwr (פְּדָהצוּר, `{{H6301}}`) appears five times in the biblical text, exclusively within the Book of Numbers. In all instances, he is identified as the father of Gamaliel, the leader (נָשִׂיא, nasi) of the tribe of Manasseh during the wilderness wanderings.
1. [[Numbers 1:10]]: Pedahtsur is first mentioned in the context of the census taken by Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai. Gamaliel son of Pedahtsur is listed as the head of the tribe of Manasseh, chosen to assist in the numbering of the people. This highlights Pedahtsur's standing as the patriarch of a prominent family within the tribe.
2. [[Numbers 2:20]]: Here, Gamaliel son of Pedahtsur is named as the leader of the tribe of Manasseh, part of the camp of Ephraim, positioned on the west side of the tabernacle. This verse details the precise order and arrangement of the tribes during their encampment, underscoring the structured and divinely ordained organization of Israel.
3. [[Numbers 7:54]]: This verse records Gamaliel son of Pedahtsur's offering on the eighth day of the dedication of the tabernacle. Each tribal leader brought identical offerings, signifying their collective participation and devotion. Pedahtsur's name is again invoked to identify Gamaliel.
4. [[Numbers 7:59]]: This verse reiterates Gamaliel's offering, summarizing the total value of the gifts brought by the prince of Manasseh. The repetition emphasizes the significance of these offerings to the establishment of the Tabernacle's worship.
5. [[Numbers 10:23]]: Pedahtsur's son, Gamaliel, is mentioned again as the leader of the Manassehite army, marching under the standard of the camp of Ephraim. This verse describes the marching order of the Israelites as they set out from Mount Sinai, further illustrating Gamaliel's leadership role and, by extension, the lineage of Pedahtsur.
While Pedahtsur himself is not depicted in any action, his name, through his son Gamaliel's prominence, is firmly embedded in the narrative of Israel's formative years in the wilderness. The very existence of such a name within a leading family suggests a deep-seated faith in God's redemptive character, perhaps in remembrance of the Exodus deliverance or a personal experience of divine rescue.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Pᵉdâhtsûwr (פְּדָהצוּר, `{{H6301}}`) is intimately connected to several core biblical concepts and other key Hebrew terms.
1. **Redemption (פָּדָה, padah, `{{H6299}}` and גָּאַל, ga'al, `{{H1350}}`):** The root פָּדָה (padah) is a foundational term for redemption in the Old Testament. It is frequently used to describe God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 7:8]], [[Deuteronomy 9:26]]). It also appears in contexts of redeeming firstborns or land. Another crucial term for redemption is גָּאַל (ga'al, `{{H1350}}`), which carries the nuance of a kinsman-redeemer, one who restores what was lost or frees from bondage through an act of familial obligation (e.g., in the book of Ruth, or God as Israel's Redeemer in Isaiah). The name Pedahtsur directly invokes this divine act of liberation.
2. **God as Rock (צוּר, tsur, `{{H6697}}`):** The use of צוּר (tsur) as a metaphor for God is pervasive and profound. God is called the "Rock" in numerous passages, signifying His unchangeable nature, His steadfastness, and His role as a secure refuge and source of strength. Examples include:
* [[Deuteronomy 32:4]]: "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just."
* [[Psalm 18:2]]: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge."
* [[Psalm 62:7]]: "My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge."
* [[1 Samuel 2:2]]: "There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no Rock like our God."
This imagery contrasts sharply with the instability of human strength or idols.
3. **Theophoric Names:** Pedahtsur is an excellent example of a theophoric name, a common practice in ancient Israel where names incorporated a divine element or a statement about God. These names served as testimonies of faith, prayers, or reminders of God's character or actions. Other examples include:
* *Ishmael* (God hears)
* *Eliezer* (God is my help)
* *Jehoshaphat* (Yahweh has judged)
* *Nathaniel* (God has given)
These names often reflected the parents' theological convictions or a significant divine intervention at the time of the child's birth.
### Theological Significance
The name Pᵉdâhtsûwr (פְּדָהצוּר, `{{H6301}}`) carries profound theological weight, encapsulating core truths about God's character and His relationship with His people.
Firstly, the name unequivocally declares God as the ultimate Redeemer. The component פָּדָה (padah) points to God's active intervention to deliver His people from bondage and peril. For the Israelites in the wilderness, this would have resonated deeply with the recent memory of the Exodus, where God, by His mighty hand, ransomed them from Egyptian slavery. The name serves as a constant reminder that salvation and liberation come from God alone, not from human strength or ingenuity.
Secondly, the inclusion of צוּר (tsur) as "Rock" highlights God's unchangeable, steadfast, and reliable nature. In a journey through a vast and unpredictable wilderness, the concept of a "Rock" would have provided immense comfort and assurance. God is the stable foundation, the secure refuge against all threats, and the unchanging source of strength. He is not a fleeting deity but an eternal, dependable presence.
Thus, "A Rock has ransomed" proclaims that the God who is eternally stable and faithful is also the God who actively intervenes to redeem. This combination speaks to both God's immutable character and His dynamic involvement in human history. The parents of Pedahtsur, in naming their son, were making a personal confession of faith, acknowledging God's past redemptive acts and expressing hope in His continued faithfulness. It suggests a family rooted in the conviction that their security and deliverance rested entirely on God, their Rock and Redeemer.
Moreover, the name implicitly points to the comprehensive nature of God's salvation. It is not merely a political or physical deliverance, but a deep, foundational act of rescue rooted in God's very being. This theological understanding lays groundwork for later biblical revelation concerning the ultimate redemption found in God's Son.
### Summary
Pᵉdâhtsûwr (פְּדָהצוּר, `{{H6301}}`) is a rich Hebrew personal name meaning "A Rock (God) has ransomed" or "The Rock has redeemed." It combines the concept of divine redemption (פָּדָה, padah, `{{H6299}}`) with the metaphor of God as an unshakeable, faithful Rock (צוּר, tsur, `{{H6697}}`).
Biblically, Pedahtsur is known solely as the father of Gamaliel, the prominent leader of the tribe of Manasseh during the wilderness wanderings, appearing in [[Numbers 1:10]], [[Numbers 2:20]], [[Numbers 7:54]], [[Numbers 7:59]], and [[Numbers 10:23]]. While his actions are not detailed, his name, through his son's leadership, is woven into the fabric of Israel's foundational history.
Theological significance of the name is profound. It serves as a powerful declaration of God's character as both the steadfast, unchanging Rock and the active, intervening Redeemer. It underscores the Israelite conviction that their salvation and security originated solely from God's mighty and reliable hand, a truth that would have resonated deeply with a people recently delivered from bondage and journeying through the wilderness. As a theophoric name, Pedahtsur represents a personal testament to divine faithfulness and redemptive power, a timeless truth embedded within the very identity of an Israelite family.
TRV