a primitive root meaning to turn, i.e.; be perplexed; be distracted.
Transliteration:pûwn
Pronunciation:poon
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H6323 (פּוּן, pûwn) is a primitive root whose core meaning is "to turn." From this foundational sense, it extends metaphorically to describe a state of mental or emotional disarray, specifically "to be perplexed" or "to be distracted." This implies a turning of the mind away from clarity or focus, resulting in confusion, uncertainty, or a state of being unsettled and disoriented. It does not primarily refer to a physical turning, but rather an internal, cognitive, or affective turning that leads to distress.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root H6323 appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in the Niphal stem.
* **[[Psalm 88:15]]**: "I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer your terrors; I am distracted (נָפוּנָה, nāp̄ûnâ)."
* The form used here is a Niphal participle, feminine singular: נָפוּנָה (nāp̄ûnâ). The Niphal stem often conveys a passive or reflexive sense, suggesting "being turned" or "being made perplexed/distracted."
* In the context of Psalm 88, a unique and intensely dark lament, the psalmist (Heman the Ezrahite) expresses overwhelming suffering, terror, and a profound sense of abandonment by God. The phrase "I am distracted" (נָפוּנָה) directly follows the declaration of suffering God's terrors.
* This usage paints a vivid picture of a mind overwhelmed and disoriented by immense affliction and divine judgment. The terrors experienced are so profound that they cause a mental state of utter confusion and an inability to find peace or focus. It signifies a deep mental anguish and disarray, where the mind is turned every which way by distress without finding resolution. The singular occurrence, while limiting a broad semantic profile, powerfully highlights the capacity of this verb to describe extreme psychological and spiritual turmoil.
### Related Words & Concepts
While H6323 (פּוּן, pûwn) is unique in its specific application, it relates to broader semantic fields:
* **Words related to turning or deviation:**
* `{{H5437}}` (סוּר, sûr): "to turn aside," "depart," often implying a physical or moral deviation.
* `{{H6437}}` (פָּנָה, pānāh): "to turn," "to face," a general term for turning.
* `{{H7725}}` (שׁוּב, shûḇ): "to turn back," "return," often with implications of repentance.
* **Words related to perplexity, confusion, or dismay:**
* `{{H926}}` (בָּהַל, bāhal): "to be terrified," "dismayed," "hastened," often describing mental agitation or panic.
* `{{H2000}}` (הָמַם, hāmam): "to throw into confusion," "discomfit," often used in military contexts.
* `{{H3987}}` (מַהְמֹהָה, mahmōhāh): "perplexity," "distraction," a rare noun derived from `{{H2000}}`.
* `{{H6323}}` (פּוּן, pûwn) distinguishes itself by its direct connection to the idea of "turning" as the root cause of this mental state, suggesting a mind that is constantly turning in distress without finding a stable point.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of H6323 in [[Psalm 88:15]] carries profound theological weight, especially given the psalm's unique place in the Psalter. Psalm 88 is often considered the darkest of the laments, concluding without the typical shift to hope or praise.
* The use of פּוּן (pûwn) here underscores the psalmist's extreme psychological and spiritual distress. It describes a state of profound mental disarray, where the mind is "turned" away from any sense of order, peace, or divine comfort due to overwhelming affliction and the perceived absence of God's favor.
* Theologically, it speaks to the reality of human suffering that can lead to utter disorientation and perplexity, even in the life of a faithful individual. It highlights the depth of human despair that can feel utterly without direction or clarity, a mind overwhelmed by terror and affliction.
* The psalm, and by extension the word פּוּן, serves as a biblical witness to the legitimate experience of profound mental anguish. It validates the experience of those who feel utterly "distracted" or "perplexed" by life's terrors, acknowledging a deep dimension of human suffering before God without offering an immediate resolution. It reminds us that the biblical narrative encompasses the full spectrum of human experience, including moments of profound and seemingly unmitigated despair.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H6323 (פּוּן, pûwn) is a rare but impactful verb, fundamentally meaning "to turn," which extends metaphorically to "be perplexed" or "be distracted." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Psalm 88:15]] powerfully depicts a state of profound mental and emotional disorientation. In this deeply sorrowful lament, the psalmist cries out, "I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer your terrors; I am distracted (נָפוּנָה)." The Niphal form emphasizes being passively overwhelmed and turned aside from clarity by intense suffering and perceived divine terrors. Theologically, H6323 provides a stark and poignant description of the deepest human anguish, where the mind is scattered and disoriented by affliction, serving as a solemn testament to the reality of profound mental distress within the sacred texts.
TRV