### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פָּטִיר (pâṭîyr, `{{H6359}}`) derives from the root פָּטַר (pâṭar, `{{H6362}}`), which carries the primary sense of "to cleave, open, set free, or dismiss." Building upon this root, פָּטִיר describes a state of being "open," "unoccupied," or "free." It denotes an absence of restraint, confinement, or ownership. The semantic range thus encompasses notions of liberation, independence, and an unburdened existence, emphasizing a state where something is not held, controlled, or utilized by another.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פָּטִיר (pâṭîyr, `{{H6359}}`) is remarkably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only once in the Masoretic Text. Its sole occurrence is found in the book of Job:
* **[[Job 39:5]]**: "Who has sent out the wild donkey free? Or who has loosed the bonds of the wild ass?"
* In this poetic and rhetorical question, God challenges Job, highlighting His own sovereign control over creation. The word פָּטִיר here describes the wild donkey (פֶּרֶא, pere', `{{H6693}}`) as "free" (פָּטִיר). The context emphasizes the untamed, unbridled nature of this animal, contrasting it with domesticated beasts. The wild ass is not bound by human will, nor is it confined to human habitations. Its freedom is presented as a testament to a divine power that transcends human capacity to control or domesticate all of creation. The question implies that only God possesses the authority and might to grant such an unhindered existence to any creature.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root פָּטַר (pâṭar, `{{H6362}}`), from which פָּטִיר (pâṭîyr, `{{H6359}}`) is derived. This root is used in various contexts:
* **Opening:** Especially "opening the womb" (e.g., [[Exodus 13:2]], referring to the firstborn).
* **Releasing/Dismissing:** Such as dismissing a servant or releasing from an obligation (e.g., [[Esther 2:14]]).
* **Breaking forth:** As in a torrent or a flood.
The concept of "freedom" or "release" is also conveyed by other Hebrew terms, though with different nuances:
* **חָפְשִׁי (chophshiy, `{{H2667}}`):** Often refers to a person who is free, particularly from slavery or obligation (e.g., [[Exodus 21:2]]).
* **דְּרוֹר (deror, `{{H1865}}`):** Denotes liberty, often in the context of the Year of Jubilee, where slaves are freed and land returns to its original owners (e.g., [[Leviticus 25:10]]).
* **נָקִי (naqiy, `{{H5355}}`):** Implies being innocent or free from guilt or punishment.
While these words share a general semantic field of "freedom," פָּטִיר (pâṭîyr, `{{H6359}}`) specifically emphasizes a state of being "open" or "unoccupied," particularly in the context of being unbound or untamed, as seen in its unique usage for the wild ass.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of פָּטִיר (pâṭîyr, `{{H6359}}`) in [[Job 39:5]] carries profound theological weight within the broader discourse of God's wisdom and omnipotence.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Creation:** The word underscores that the wild ass's freedom is not inherent or self-derived but is a state divinely ordained. God is the ultimate "looser of bonds," demonstrating His absolute control even over the most untamed elements of His creation. This highlights a God who does not merely create but actively sustains and governs the natural order.
2. **Testimony to Unsearchable Wisdom:** By pointing to creatures that remain outside human dominion and control, פָּטִיר serves as a reminder of God's wisdom that surpasses human comprehension. The wildness and unbridled nature of the ass, described as "free" by God, stand as a witness to a Creator whose ways are higher than human ways, and whose design includes aspects that defy human attempts at subjugation.
3. **Contrast to Human Bondage:** While applied to an animal, the concept of "free" inherently contrasts with "bound" or "enslaved." In a broader biblical theological context, this subtly resonates with themes of liberation from various forms of bondage—whether from sin, oppression, or the Law—which are central to God's redemptive work for humanity. The freedom of the wild ass, divinely granted, mirrors the greater freedom God offers to His people.
### Summary
פָּטִיר (pâṭîyr, `{{H6359}}`), derived from the root פָּטַר (pâṭar, `{{H6362}}`), signifies a state of being "open," "unoccupied," or "free." Its singular occurrence in [[Job 39:5]] powerfully describes the wild donkey as "free," emphasizing its untamed nature and independence from human control. This unique usage serves as a profound theological statement within the book of Job, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unsearchable wisdom in designing a world that includes elements beyond human dominion. The word ultimately points to a divinely ordained state of unhindered existence, testifying to a Creator who is the ultimate source of all freedom.
TRV