### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פּוּגָה (pûwgâh), Strong's number `{{H6314}}`, is derived from the verbal root פּוּג (pûwg, `{{H6313}}`), which conveys the sense of "to become numb," "to grow faint," "to cease," or "to intermit." Consequently, פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) denotes the state or act of "intermission" or "rest." It refers specifically to a cessation or pause from an ongoing activity, effort, or distress. Unlike a general state of repose, פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) emphasizes a temporary break or respite from something that is continuous or demanding, highlighting the interruption of an action or condition rather than a complete and final cessation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) is a hapax legomenon in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once in the book of Lamentations. Its singular occurrence is found in:
* **[[Lamentations 2:18]]:** "Their heart cried to the Lord, 'O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night; give yourself no rest, let your eyes know no intermission (פּוּגָה)."
* In this poignant lament over the destruction of Jerusalem, the prophet (traditionally Jeremiah) is calling upon the personified wall of Zion, or the people themselves, to engage in unceasing weeping and sorrow. The phrase "let your eyes know no intermission (פּוּגָה)" emphatically commands a continuous, unrelenting outpouring of grief. The absence of פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) here underscores the depth of the catastrophe and the necessity of sustained lamentation without any pause or relief. The context demands an unbroken flow of tears, reflecting the profound and ceaseless sorrow over the city's desolation.
### Related Words & Concepts
While פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) is unique in its precise nuance, it relates to other Hebrew terms that express concepts of rest, cessation, or relief:
* **שָׁבַת (shabath, `{{H7672}}`):** To cease, desist, rest. This verb often refers to a complete cessation of activity, as in the Sabbath rest.
* **מְנוּחָה (menuchah, `{{H4496}}`):** Rest, resting place, quietness. This noun, derived from נוּחַ (nuach, `{{H5117}}`), often denotes a state of settled rest or a place of repose.
* **רָגַע (raga', `{{H7280}}`):** To rest, quiet, be at ease, give respite. This verb can imply a temporary calming or a moment of peace.
* **שַׁבָּת (shabbath, `{{H7673}}`):** Sabbath, a day of rest. This noun refers to a prescribed period of cessation from work.
Compared to these, פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) specifically highlights the *absence* of a break or pause, particularly in the context of an ongoing, intense emotional or physical state. It emphasizes the continuous nature of an action or experience when a cessation is expected or desired but denied. Its connection to the root meaning of "faintness" or "numbness" suggests a weariness that would naturally seek intermission.
### Theological Significance
Despite its single occurrence, the theological significance of פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) in Lamentations 2:18 is profound. It serves to underscore the theological imperative for unceasing lamentation in the face of divine judgment and national catastrophe. The command to "know no intermission" for tears is a powerful expression of utter desolation and a call for a sustained, unbroken engagement with grief.
This lack of פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) reflects a theological understanding that certain circumstances, particularly those involving profound sin and its devastating consequences, demand an unrelenting posture of sorrow and repentance. It suggests that true lament is not a fleeting emotion but a continuous outpouring that acknowledges the severity of God's righteous judgment and the depth of human suffering. The absence of rest in weeping signifies a spiritual state where the soul is so overwhelmed by calamity that it cannot afford the luxury of a pause, illustrating the appropriate human response to overwhelming divine wrath and national humiliation. It calls for an unbroken connection to the pain, a continuous plea for mercy, and a refusal to seek comfort until divine intervention brings true relief.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פּוּגָה (pûwgâh, `{{H6314}}`) precisely denotes an "intermission" or "rest," specifically a temporary cessation from an ongoing activity or distress. Derived from a root meaning "to cease" or "to grow faint," it highlights a break in continuity. Its sole occurrence in [[Lamentations 2:18]] is particularly impactful, where the command to "let your eyes know no intermission" for tears emphasizes the necessity of unceasing lamentation. This usage underscores the profound and continuous nature of sorrow in the face of overwhelming catastrophe, urging an unbroken outpouring of grief without any respite. The theological weight of פּוּגָה (pûwgâh) lies in its articulation of a relentless spiritual posture, demanding sustained engagement with suffering and repentance until divine solace is granted.
TRV