a primitive root; to spread; figuratively, act proudly; grow up, be grown fat, spread selves, be scattered.
Transliteration:pûwsh
Pronunciation:poosh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root פּוּשׁ (pûwsh), `{{H6335}}`, is a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around concepts of expansion, growth, and dispersion. Literally, it denotes "to spread," "to grow up," "to be grown fat," or "to spread selves." This physical sense implies an increase in size, volume, or proliferation. Figuratively, the word takes on a significant moral dimension, meaning "to act proudly" or "to be wanton." This semantic extension suggests that physical prosperity or "fatness" can lead to an inflated sense of self-importance, arrogance, or unrestrained indulgence. The connection between physical flourishing and spiritual pride is a recurring theme in biblical thought.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its dual semantic range:
* **[[Hosea 10:1]]**: "Israel is a luxuriant vine that yields its fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the more he made sacred pillars." Here, פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) is translated as "luxuriant" or "spreading out," describing Israel's material prosperity. The context is highly critical; Israel's abundance led not to greater devotion but to increased idolatry and self-reliance. Their "spreading out" was a manifestation of spiritual apostasy, directly linking material growth to spiritual decay and pride.
* **[[Jeremiah 50:11]]**: "Because you were glad, because you rejoiced, O you destroyers of my heritage, because you are wanton as a heifer treading out the grain and you neigh like stallions." In this prophetic denunciation of Babylon, פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) is rendered as "wanton" or "grown fat." The imagery of a well-fed, unrestrained heifer highlights Babylon's arrogant joy in destroying God's heritage. Their prosperity and power led to unbridled indulgence and destructive pride, reinforcing the negative figurative sense of the word.
* **[[Malachi 4:2]]**: "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall." In stark contrast to the previous examples, פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) here describes the future blessed state of those who fear the Lord. Translated as "leaping" or "grow up," it conveys a sense of vigorous, joyful, and healthy growth, like well-fed calves released to pasture. This usage signifies a positive, divinely-blessed expansion and vitality, free from the negative connotations of pride or wantonness.
From these contexts, it is clear that while פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) can denote simple physical growth, its spiritual implications are profoundly shaped by the moral disposition of the subject. Prosperity can lead to either destructive pride or joyful, righteous flourishing.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) intersects with several related Hebrew words and concepts:
* **Growth and Abundance:** Words like `{{H7235}}` (rabah, "to be great, numerous") and `{{H7685}}` (śābaʿ, "to be satisfied, full") share the idea of increase and abundance, though פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) uniquely captures the sense of vigorous, often unrestrained, growth.
* **Pride and Arrogance:** Terms such as `{{H1346}}` (ga'on, "majesty, pride") and `{{H7311}}` (rum, "to be high, exalted") resonate with the figurative meaning of פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) as "to act proudly." The physical "fatness" or "spreading" can be a precursor or metaphor for spiritual haughtiness.
* **Scattering and Dispersion:** While less prominent in its biblical usage, the base definition of "to be scattered" connects פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) to verbs like `{{H6327}}` (pûts, "to be dispersed") or `{{H2219}}` (zārâ, "to scatter"). This aspect highlights a potential outcome of uncontrolled expansion or a consequence of divine judgment.
The multifaceted nature of פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) underscores the biblical emphasis on the moral implications of prosperity and the heart's response to blessing.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) lies in its powerful illustration of the inherent neutrality of material growth and the critical role of human disposition. Prosperity, abundance, or "fatness" in itself is not inherently good or evil. Its spiritual outcome is entirely dependent on whether it leads to humble gratitude and devotion to God or to arrogant self-sufficiency and rebellion.
* The negative uses of פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) in [[Hosea 10:1]] and [[Jeremiah 50:11]] serve as a stark warning. They highlight the danger of unbridled success, where blessings are misappropriated for selfish gain, idolatry, or oppressive pride. This reflects a pervasive biblical theme: that the human heart, when confronted with abundance, often forgets its dependence on God, leading to spiritual decline and judgment.
* Conversely, the positive use in [[Malachi 4:2]] offers a vision of redemptive flourishing. For those who "fear My name," the "spreading" or "leaping" signifies a divinely-blessed vitality and joy. This is not a worldly pride but a humble, vibrant life lived in righteous relationship with God. It suggests that true prosperity, in God's eyes, is not merely material but spiritual, characterized by joy, healing, and vigorous growth in righteousness.
In essence, פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) functions as a theological barometer, measuring the spiritual health of individuals or nations based on how they handle increase. It underscores that God's desire is for His people to flourish, but this flourishing must be rooted in humility and faithfulness, lest it become a source of destructive pride.
### Summary
The Hebrew root פּוּשׁ (pûwsh), `{{H6335}}`, encompasses a semantic range from the literal "to spread," "grow up," or "be grown fat" to the figurative "to act proudly" or "be wanton." This duality is critically important for understanding its theological import. In contexts like [[Hosea 10:1]] and [[Jeremiah 50:11]], Israel's and Babylon's "luxuriant growth" or "fatness" is presented negatively, leading to idolatry and destructive arrogance. This warns against the spiritual dangers of prosperity when it fosters self-sufficiency and rebellion against God. In contrast, [[Malachi 4:2]] portrays a positive application, where those who fear the Lord "grow up" or "leap" with joyous vitality, signifying a divinely-blessed and righteous flourishing. Thus, פּוּשׁ (pûwsh) powerfully illustrates that material increase is morally neutral; its ultimate spiritual outcome—whether leading to destructive pride or joyful, God-honoring vitality—is determined by the heart's disposition and its response to divine blessing.
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