from an unused root meaning to paint; dye (specifically, stibium for the eyes); fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing).
Transliteration:pûwk
Pronunciation:pook
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פּוּךְ (pûwk), transliterated as "pûwk" (`{{H6320}}`), derives from an unused root signifying "to paint." Its primary and most common meaning in biblical usage refers to a type of dye or pigment, specifically "stibium" (antimony sulfide), a black cosmetic powder used extensively in the ancient Near East to darken the eyelids and eyebrows. This application aimed to enhance the eyes, making them appear larger and more striking, and also offered some protection from the sun's glare and insects. Beyond its cosmetic application, the semantic range of pûwk extends to denote "fair colours," "glistering," or "paint(-ed) (-ing)," indicating the material itself or its quality of being brightly colored or lustrous. This broader sense points to its use as a valuable mineral or stone, distinguished by its inherent color or sheen.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פּוּךְ (pûwk) appears five times in the Hebrew Bible, revealing both its cosmetic and material applications, often with significant contextual implications.
1. **Cosmetic Use:**
* [[2 Kings 9:30]]: "When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes (וַתָּשֶׂם בַּפּוּךְ עֵינֶיהָ) and adorned her head and looked out of the window." Here, pûwk explicitly refers to the cosmetic application of eye paint. This act by Jezebel, a figure of notorious wickedness and idolatry, is often interpreted as a defiant or seductive gesture, highlighting her vanity and ungodly character even in the face of imminent judgment.
* [[Jeremiah 4:30]]: "And you, O desolate one, what will you do? Though you dress yourself in scarlet, though you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with paint (תִּקְרְעִי בַפּוּךְ עֵינַיִךְ), in vain you beautify yourself. Your lovers despise you; they seek your life." In this prophetic lament, the painting of eyes with pûwk is depicted as a futile attempt at seduction and superficial beautification by an unfaithful Jerusalem, whose outward adornment cannot mask her spiritual harlotry or avert divine judgment.
* [[Ezekiel 23:40]]: "Moreover, they sent for men from afar, to whom a messenger was sent; and behold, they came. For them you washed yourself, painted your eyes (וְעֵינַיִךְ כָּחַלְתְּ בַּפּוּךְ), and put on ornaments." This verse describes the spiritual prostitution of Oholibah (Jerusalem) and Oholah (Samaria), where the act of painting eyes with pûwk is part of their elaborate preparation to entice foreign nations, symbolizing their idolatrous alliances and unfaithfulness to Yahweh.
2. **Material Use (Precious Stones/Colors):**
* [[1 Chronicles 29:2]]: "Now I have provided with all my strength for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, onyx stones and stones to be set, glistering stones (אַבְנֵי־פוּךְ) and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance." Here, "stones of pûwk" (אַבְנֵי־פוּךְ) refers to precious stones characterized by their "glistering" quality or "fair colors," intended for the construction and adornment of Solomon's Temple. This usage highlights the material's intrinsic beauty and value, distinct from its cosmetic application.
* [[Isaiah 54:11]]: "O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony (וְיִסַּדְתִּי בַּפּוּךְ אֲבָנָיִךְ), and lay your foundations with sapphires." In this prophetic promise of restoration for Jerusalem, God declares that He will rebuild the city with precious materials. "Stones in antimony" or "stones of pûwk" (בַּפּוּךְ) here likely refers to a foundation laid with valuable, dark, lustrous stones, perhaps resembling black marble or onyx, symbolizing the enduring glory and beauty of the renewed city.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of פּוּךְ (pûwk) naturally connects with broader biblical themes of beauty, adornment, and the distinction between outward appearance and inner character.
* **Adornment and Beauty:** Other Hebrew words for adornment include `{{H5716}}` ('adî, ornament) and `{{H3308}}` (yōp̄î, beauty). While physical beauty and adornment are not inherently condemned in the Bible, their misuse for vanity, seduction, or as a substitute for true piety is consistently critiqued.
* **Vanity and Deceit:** The negative connotations of pûwk in the prophetic books align with condemnations of pride and superficiality (e.g., [[Proverbs 31:30]], [[Isaiah 3:16-24]]). The act of painting the eyes can symbolize an attempt to deceive or entice, particularly in the context of spiritual unfaithfulness.
* **Precious Materials:** The use of pûwk to describe valuable stones or colors for the Temple or the New Jerusalem links it with other precious materials like gold (`{{H2077}}` zāhāḇ), silver, and various gems, which are consistently used to symbolize divine glory, holiness, and enduring value. This highlights a divinely ordained beauty that contrasts sharply with human vanity.
* **Inner vs. Outer:** The biblical narrative often contrasts outward show with inward truth, a theme powerfully articulated in passages like [[1 Peter 3:3-4]], which encourages an "inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" over external adornment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פּוּךְ (pûwk) is multifaceted, reflecting the Bible's nuanced perspective on beauty, adornment, and spiritual reality.
On one hand, the cosmetic use of pûwk is predominantly associated with negative connotations:
* **Vanity and Superficiality:** In the narratives of Jezebel, Jerusalem, and Samaria, eye paint becomes a symbol of human vanity, deceit, and a preoccupation with outward appearance over inner righteousness. It represents a superficiality that is often linked to spiritual harlotry and unfaithfulness to God.
* **Futility of External Adornment:** The prophetic condemnations illustrate that no amount of outward beautification can hide spiritual depravity or avert divine judgment. True beauty, from a biblical perspective, emanates from a heart devoted to God.
On the other hand, the use of pûwk to describe precious stones or colors carries positive implications:
* **Divine Glory and Value:** When referring to materials for the Temple or the foundations of the New Jerusalem, pûwk signifies inherent beauty, value, and permanence. These are materials chosen by God or for God's dwelling, reflecting His glory, majesty, and the enduring nature of His promises. This usage elevates the material beyond mere cosmetic application to symbolize the genuine, God-ordained beauty of His creation and His redemptive work.
* **Contrast of True vs. False Beauty:** The dual usage of pûwk subtly reinforces a key biblical distinction: the fleeting, often deceptive beauty of human vanity versus the enduring, intrinsic beauty that reflects God's design and glory. God's concern is ultimately for the heart and true righteousness, not for outward display that masks spiritual emptiness.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פּוּךְ (pûwk, `{{H6320}}`) encompasses the meaning of "dye" or "paint," specifically referencing stibium (eye paint), but also extending to "fair colours" or "glistering" stones. Its biblical occurrences reveal a dual application: cosmetically, it is consistently associated with vanity, deceit, and spiritual unfaithfulness in figures like Jezebel and the idolatrous cities of Jerusalem and Samaria. The prophets use it to underscore the futility of superficial adornment in the face of divine judgment. Conversely, when referring to precious stones for the Temple or the New Jerusalem, pûwk denotes intrinsic beauty, value, and glory, symbolizing God's provision of magnificent materials for His sanctuary and His eternal city. Thus, pûwk serves as a poignant lexical example of the biblical emphasis on inner character over outward appearance, contrasting the fleeting nature of human vanity with the enduring, God-ordained beauty that reflects His divine majesty and truth.
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