probably from an unused root apparently meaning to dig; a pit, especially forcatching animals; hole, pit, snare.
Transliteration:pachath
Pronunciation:pakh'-ath
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun פַּחַת (*pachath*, `{{H6354}}`) derives from an unused root, likely signifying "to dig" or "to excavate." Its primary meaning denotes a "pit" or "hole," often specifically referring to an excavated depression in the ground. Crucially, the definition highlights its common use as a "pit, especially for catching animals," thereby extending its semantic range to include a "snare" or "trap." Thus, *pachath* encompasses both the literal physical depression and the metaphorical concept of a hidden danger or an ensnaring device. Its core meaning emphasizes an intended entrapment or a perilous fall.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *pachath* appears prominently in prophetic and wisdom literature, often in contexts of judgment, danger, and divine retribution. A notable recurring pattern is its appearance in a tripartite phrase alongside "terror" (פַּחַד, *pachad*, `{{H6343}}`) and "snare" (פַּח, *pach*, `{{H6341}}` or מוֹקֵשׁ, *moqesh*, `{{H4170}}`). This triad powerfully conveys overwhelming peril and inescapable judgment, as seen in [[Isaiah 24:17-18]]: "Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth... Whoever flees from the sound of the terror shall fall into the pit, and whoever climbs out of the pit shall be caught in the snare." A similar expression is found in [[Jeremiah 48:43-44]] concerning Moab and [[Lamentations 3:47]] describing the collective suffering of Judah.
Beyond these prophetic warnings, *pachath* frequently functions as a metaphor for a trap set by an enemy or the self-inflicted consequences of the wicked. In [[Psalm 7:15]], the psalmist declares, "He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the hole that he made." This imagery is echoed in [[Psalm 9:15]], [[Psalm 35:7]], and [[Psalm 57:6]], where the wicked are depicted as falling into the very pit they dug for the righteous. [[Proverbs 26:27]] encapsulates this wisdom: "Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling." The word also describes a state of degradation, as in [[Job 9:31]], where Job laments, "Yet you would plunge me into the pit, and my own clothes would abhor me," indicating a profound state of defilement and ruin.
### Related Words & Concepts
*Pachath* is closely related to several other Hebrew terms denoting pits, traps, or destruction.
* **בּוֹר (*bor*, `{{H953}}`):** This is a more general term for a "cistern," "well," or "dungeon," often referring to a literal pit or prison, as in Joseph's experience ([[Genesis 37:20]]). While *bor* can be a pit, *pachath* specifically emphasizes its function as a trap.
* **שַׁחַת (*shachath*, `{{H7845}}`):** Meaning "pit" or "destruction," this word is often used in contexts of ruin or the grave, sharing the metaphorical sense of a deep, inescapable danger or demise.
* **פַּח (*pach*, `{{H6341}}`):** A direct synonym for "snare" or "trap," often appearing alongside *pachath* to reinforce the idea of entrapment.
* **מוֹקֵשׁ (*moqesh*, `{{H4170}}`):** Another common term for a "snare" or "stumbling block," frequently used in parallel with *pachath* to describe a hidden danger.
The conceptual field surrounding *pachath* includes ideas of malicious intent, hidden dangers, divine judgment, and the inevitable consequences of unrighteous actions.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of *pachath* is multifaceted, primarily revolving around themes of divine justice, human vulnerability, and moral consequence.
1. **Divine Justice and Retribution:** The most prominent theological lesson derived from *pachath* is the principle of *lex talionis*—the wicked falling into their own trap. This recurring motif in Psalms and Proverbs underscores God's righteous governance, where the malevolent schemes of the unrighteous ultimately rebound upon them. It is a powerful affirmation of divine order and the certainty of just recompense ([[Psalm 7:15]], [[Proverbs 26:27]]).
2. **Human Vulnerability and Peril:** *Pachath* highlights the precariousness of human existence in a fallen world, where dangers, both physical and spiritual, lurk. The pairing with "terror" and "snare" in prophetic literature emphasizes the overwhelming nature of divine judgment and the inescapable peril awaiting those who defy God.
3. **Ethical Warning:** The imagery of the *pachath* serves as a profound ethical warning against plotting evil or seeking to harm others. It teaches that engaging in such activities is not only morally reprehensible but also self-destructive, as the one who digs a pit for another is destined to fall into it themselves.
4. **Need for Deliverance:** Implicit in the concept of a *pachath* is the need for deliverance. For the righteous, the Lord is portrayed as the one who rescues them from the pit, often when they are at their lowest point, thereby demonstrating His faithfulness and redemptive power.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פַּחַת (*pachath*, `{{H6354}}`) signifies a "pit" or "hole," specifically emphasizing its function as a "snare" or "trap." Its usage in the Old Testament frequently occurs in a powerful triad with "terror" and "snare," depicting overwhelming danger and inescapable judgment, particularly in prophetic warnings. Metaphorically, *pachath* vividly illustrates the malicious schemes of enemies or the self-inflicted consequences of the wicked, who are often portrayed as falling into the very pit they dug for others. Theologically, *pachath* underscores God's unwavering justice, the inherent vulnerability of humanity, and the moral imperative against malevolence, serving as a potent reminder that the consequences of sin often ensnare the perpetrator.
TRV