or פֻּוָּה; from פָּאָה; a blast; Puah or Puvvah, the name of two Israelites; Phuvah, Pua, Puah.
Transliteration:Pûwʼâh
Pronunciation:poo-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H6312, transliterated as *Pûwʼâh* (or *Pûwwâh*), is derived from the root פָּאָה (*pāʼâ*), which signifies "to blow," "to puff," or "to snort." Consequently, the base definition of H6312 itself is "a blast" or "a mouthful." However, in its biblical occurrences, H6312 functions exclusively as a proper noun, designating two distinct individuals within the lineage of Israel. As a proper noun, its semantic range in contextual usage is limited to identification, rather than conveying its etymological meaning directly within the narrative. The potential evocative quality of a name meaning "blast" might suggest vigor, suddenness, or a distinctive quality, but the biblical text does not elaborate on such implications for the individuals bearing the name.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H6312 appears in the Hebrew Bible primarily within genealogical lists, identifying two different men.
1. **Puah (Phuvah), Son of Issachar:**
* [[Genesis 46:13]]: "And the sons of Issachar: Tola, and Puvah, and Job, and Shimron." Here, Puah is listed as one of the four sons of Issachar, who descended into Egypt with Jacob. This passage is part of the foundational genealogical record of the tribes of Israel.
* [[Numbers 26:23]]: "Of Issachar, the families of Tola: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Puvites." This verse, from the second census of Israel in the wilderness, confirms Puah as a tribal head, whose descendants formed a specific clan within the tribe of Issachar. The slight variation in transliteration (Puvah) does not alter the underlying Hebrew lemma.
* [[1 Chronicles 7:1]]: "Now the sons of Issachar were Tola, and Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four." This passage reiterates Puah's position as a son of Issachar in the chronicler's extensive genealogical records, emphasizing the continuity of the tribal lineages.
2. **Puah, Father of Tola the Judge:**
* [[Judges 10:1]]: "And after Abimelech there arose to save Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim." In this instance, Puah is identified as the father of Tola, one of the minor judges of Israel. This context places Puah within the lineage of those raised up by God to deliver His people, though no specific actions or character traits are attributed to Puah himself. It is noteworthy that both individuals named Puah are associated with the tribe of Issachar, suggesting the name may have been common within that tribal line.
In all occurrences, H6312 serves as a marker of identity within the meticulously preserved genealogies and historical narratives of Israel. The contexts are descriptive rather than narrative, providing no direct insight into the personality or deeds of the individuals named Puah that would illuminate the etymological meaning of "blast."
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to H6312 is its root, פָּאָה (*pāʼâ*), which means "to blow," "to puff," "to snort," or "to groan." This root is onomatopoeic, conveying the sound of breath or a sudden expulsion of air. While H6312 itself is a proper noun, its etymological connection to פָּאָה places it within a semantic field related to sound, breath, and forceful exhalation.
Other Hebrew words related to "breath" or "wind" include `{{H7307}}` (*rûaḥ*), which can mean "spirit," "wind," or "breath," and `{{H5397}}` (*nāp̄aḥ*), "to breathe" or "to blow." However, these are not directly semantically linked to H6312 beyond the shared concept of air movement. The unique aspect of H6312 is its transformation from a descriptive noun ("a blast") into a proper name, a common linguistic phenomenon in ancient cultures where names often carried symbolic or descriptive weight. The name "Puah" stands out as a unique identifier rather than a descriptive term in its biblical usage.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun, H6312 does not carry an intrinsic theological meaning in the way that terms like "righteousness" or "covenant" do. Its theological significance derives more from its presence within the divinely inspired record of God's people.
1. **Divine Record-Keeping:** The meticulous preservation of names like Puah in the biblical genealogies (e.g., [[Genesis 46:13]], [[Numbers 26:23]], [[1 Chronicles 7:1]]) underscores God's sovereignty over history and His careful remembrance of those who comprise His covenant people. Every individual, no matter how briefly mentioned, is part of God's unfolding plan.
2. **Continuity of God's People:** The recurrence of the name Puah, particularly within the tribe of Issachar, highlights the continuity of the tribal structures and the lineage through which God worked. The Puah who was the father of Judge Tola ([[Judges 10:1]]) is part of the chain of individuals God raised up to deliver Israel, demonstrating God's faithfulness in providing leadership and salvation to His people across generations.
3. **Names as Identifiers in God's Plan:** While the etymological meaning of "blast" for a person's name might seem unusual, it serves as a reminder that God uses individuals with diverse names and backgrounds in His grand narrative. The focus is not on the inherent meaning of the name itself, but on the individual's place within God's redemptive history.
### Summary
H6312 (*Pûwʼâh* or *Pûwwâh*) is a Hebrew proper noun derived from a root meaning "a blast." In the biblical text, it identifies two distinct individuals, both associated with the tribe of Issachar: a son of Issachar himself ([[Genesis 46:13]], [[Numbers 26:23]], [[1 Chronicles 7:1]]) and the father of Tola, one of the judges of Israel ([[Judges 10:1]]). While its etymological root points to a forceful expulsion of air, its function in the Bible is purely as an identifier within genealogical and historical records. The theological significance of H6312 lies not in its etymological meaning, but in its inclusion within the sacred text, underscoring God's meticulous record-keeping, the continuity of His covenant people, and His use of various individuals in His divine plan for Israel's history.
TRV