from פָּחַח; a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina); gin, (thin) plate, snare.
Transliteration:pach
Pronunciation:pakh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פַּח (H6341, *pach*) derives from the root פָּחַח (H6339, *pachach*), which conveys the sense of being spread out, expanded, or made thin. This etymological root gives rise to two distinct yet related semantic clusters for *pach*:
1. **A thin, flat object:** This refers to a metallic sheet, plate, or foil, often produced by hammering or beating metal until it is thin and spread out. The emphasis here is on the physical property of being attenuated and extended.
2. **A trap or snare:** This denotes a net, gin, or fowler's trap, particularly one that is spread out or laid flat on the ground to capture prey. The imagery emphasizes the function of something covertly spread out to ensnare, often implying a sudden or hidden mechanism.
Both meanings converge on the concept of something being "spread out" – either physically as a thin sheet or functionally as a trap laid out to catch.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of פַּח (H6341) in the Hebrew Bible reflects both aspects of its semantic range:
As a **"plate" or "sheet"**:
* In [[Numbers 16:39]] (often [[Numbers 17:4]] in English versions), the bronze censers of Korah's rebellious company are commanded by God to be beaten into broad plates (פַּח) and used as a covering for the altar, serving as a perpetual memorial. This clearly denotes metallic sheets.
* [[Isaiah 40:19]] describes the craftsman who casts an idol and then overlays it with gold, fastening silver plates (פַּח) to it. Here, *pach* refers to the thin metallic covering applied to an idol, highlighting its manufactured and superficial nature.
As a **"snare" or "trap"**: This is the more prevalent usage, often employed metaphorically:
* In the Psalms, *pach* frequently describes the hidden dangers or malicious schemes laid by the wicked for the righteous. For instance, [[Psalm 141:9]] is a prayer for deliverance from the snare (פַּח) laid by evildoers. [[Psalm 91:3]] speaks of God delivering the one who trusts in Him from the snare of the fowler. [[Psalm 124:7]] celebrates deliverance, declaring, "Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare (פַּח) of the fowlers."
* Proverbs often uses *pach* to illustrate the consequences of folly or sin. [[Proverbs 7:23]] describes the young man following a harlot "like a bird hurrying into a snare" (פַּח), emphasizing the sudden and inescapable nature of moral downfall. [[Proverbs 13:14]] states that "the teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn aside from the snares (פַּח) of death."
* In prophetic literature, *pach* can signify divine judgment or the consequences of national sin. [[Jeremiah 5:26]] condemns the wicked who "lay snares (פַּח), they set a trap to catch men." [[Amos 3:5]] uses the imagery of a bird falling into a snare (פַּח) to illustrate that calamity does not occur without divine purpose.
* [[Job 18:9-10]] describes the terrors that seize the wicked, stating that "a trap (פַּח) seizes him by the heel, and a snare (מוֹקֵשׁ, `{{H4170}}`) holds him." This pairing with *moqesh* often suggests a comprehensive network of dangers.
* [[Ecclesiastes 9:12]] vividly portrays the suddenness of calamity, likening it to fish caught in a cruel net or birds caught in a snare (פַּח), for "calamity falls on them suddenly."
The contextual analysis reveals that as a "snare," *pach* consistently evokes images of hidden danger, sudden capture, and inescapable consequences, whether from human malice, personal sin, or divine decree.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of *pach* as a "snare" overlaps with several other Hebrew terms related to traps and nets, each with nuanced distinctions:
* **מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170, *moqesh*):** Often translated "snare" or "trap," *moqesh* frequently implies a baited trap or an entanglement. It is often paired with *pach*, suggesting a complementary or encompassing danger ([[Job 18:9-10]]).
* **רֶשֶׁת (H7568, *reshet*):** This term specifically refers to a net, particularly a fishing net or a fowler's net, emphasizing the woven structure.
* **מָצוּד (H4685, *matsud*):** Denotes a hunting net or a stronghold, often implying a device for catching or a place of refuge.
* **לוּקֵשׁ (H3892, *luqesh*):** Another term for a snare or trap, often found in poetic contexts.
* **מַלְכֹּדֶת (H4434, *malkodet*):** A specific term for a trap, often implying a pit or a device that springs shut.
Conceptually, *pach* is associated with:
* **Deception and stealth:** Snares are often hidden.
* **Suddenness and inevitability:** Once sprung, escape is difficult or impossible.
* **Danger and peril:** Whether physical or spiritual.
* **Divine judgment and human folly:** As both the instrument of divine justice and the consequence of human sin.
The root פָּחַח (H6339) itself, meaning "to spread out" or "to be thin," directly informs the core meaning of *pach*, linking the physical "plate" to the functional "snare" through the common idea of extension or flatness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פַּח (H6341) is profound, particularly in its metaphorical usage as a "snare":
1. **Divine Deliverance and Protection:** A prominent theme is God's role as the rescuer from the snare. The psalmist frequently expresses confidence that Yahweh will deliver His faithful from the "snare of the fowler" ([[Psalm 91:3]]) or the "snare of the wicked" ([[Psalm 141:9]]). This imagery underscores God's sovereignty over hidden dangers and His unwavering commitment to preserve His covenant people from the machinations of evil. It highlights the divine attribute of being a refuge and protector.
2. **Human Vulnerability and the Consequences of Sin:** Conversely, the snare often represents the self-inflicted consequences of human sin, folly, and rebellion. Those who walk in unrighteousness or succumb to temptation are depicted as walking into a snare ([[Proverbs 7:23]]). The wicked themselves often fall into the very snare they set for others ([[Psalm 9:15]], [[Psalm 35:8]]), illustrating the principle of retributive justice and the self-destructive nature of evil. This underscores humanity's susceptibility to spiritual and moral entrapment when deviating from divine wisdom.
3. **The Futility of Idolatry:** In its literal sense as a "plate," *pach* appears in contexts of idol-making ([[Isaiah 40:19]]). This highlights the manufactured, material, and ultimately lifeless nature of idols, contrasting sharply with the living God. The thinness of the metallic plate might even subtly suggest the superficiality and lack of substance in idolatrous worship.
4. **Suddenness of Judgment and Calamity:** The imagery of a trap springing suddenly conveys the unexpected and often unavoidable nature of divine judgment or the swift onset of calamity for those unprepared ([[Ecclesiastes 9:12]]). This serves as a sober warning, emphasizing the necessity of vigilance and adherence to God's ways to avoid sudden destruction.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פַּח (H6341, *pach*) is a versatile term rooted in the concept of "spreading out" or "being thin." It carries a dual semantic range, referring both to a "thin metallic plate" and, more frequently, to a "snare" or "trap." As a physical plate, it describes hammered metal sheets, notably used in the Tabernacle and for covering idols, highlighting the material and often manufactured aspects of human endeavor. As a snare, *pach* powerfully conveys the idea of a hidden, suddenly sprung trap, serving as a potent metaphor for spiritual, moral, and physical dangers.
Theologically, *pach* is rich with meaning. It underscores God's faithful deliverance of His people from unseen perils, while simultaneously illustrating the dire consequences and self-inflicted entrapment that result from human sin and folly. It also subtly critiques the emptiness of idolatry and warns of the suddenness with which judgment or calamity can strike. Ultimately, *pach* serves as a reminder of both divine providence and human responsibility in navigating the often-treacherous path of life.
TRV