### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **pâṭûwr**, represented by `{{H6358}}`, is derived from a root meaning **opened** and can be used to describe a bud or something that is open. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, with its meaning shifting significantly depending on the context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two uses of `{{H6358}}` illustrate its contextual flexibility. In Psalms, it is part of a visceral description of mockery, where the psalmist's enemies "shoot out the lip" in contempt [[Psalms 22:7]]. This usage conveys a gesture of opening the mouth to scorn. In a completely different setting in 2 Chronicles, the word is used to mean **dismissed**. The priest Jehoiada did not release the Levitical courses from their duties, ensuring continuous service in the temple [[2 Chronicles 23:8]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The context of mockery in [[Psalms 22:7]] links `{{H6358}}` to other words of derision:
* `{{H3932}}` **lâʻag**: Defined as **to deride** or **laugh (to scorn)**, this word appears alongside `{{H6358}}` to describe the verbal taunts of the psalmist's enemies [[Psalms 22:7]].
* `{{H5128}}` **nûwaʻ**: This word, meaning **to waver** or **shake**, is used in the same verse to depict the physical act of shaking the head in scorn, complementing the gesture of shooting out the lip [[Psalms 22:7]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H6358}}` is tied directly to its two distinct applications:
* **A Gesture of Contempt:** In Psalms, the word helps paint a vivid picture of humiliation. The act of "shooting out the lip" `{{H6358}}` is a physical manifestation of the deep scorn and derision expressed by the speaker's tormentors [[Psalms 22:7]].
* **Release from Duty:** In Chronicles, the word carries an administrative meaning of release or discharge. Jehoiada's refusal to dismiss the Levites highlights the gravity of the situation and the necessity of uninterrupted priestly service [[2 Chronicles 23:8]].
### Summary
In summary, while **pâṭûwr** `{{H6358}}` is a rare term, its two appearances demonstrate a notable range. It can signify either a physical expression of profound mockery, as seen in the psalmist's lament, or the procedural act of dismissing someone from their responsibilities, as recorded in the historical narrative of the priesthood. The meaning is entirely dependent on the surrounding biblical context.
TRV