or פִּיָּה; feminine of פֶּה; an edge; (two-) edge(-d).
Transliteration:pêyâh
Pronunciation:pay-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H6366 (פֵּיָה, *pêyâh*), also appearing as פִּיָּה (*pîyâh*), serves to denote an "edge," specifically emphasizing the sharpness or cutting perimeter of an object. It is the feminine form of `{{H6310}}` (פֶּה, *peh*), which primarily means "mouth," but also extends semantically to include "opening," "rim," or "edge." This etymological connection is crucial, as *pêyâh* describes the functional, cutting "mouth" or "lip" of a blade. Its most significant usage is in the phrase "two-edged" (פִּיּוֹת, *pîyôt*, plural of *pêyâh*), which highlights the exceptional sharpness and effectiveness of a weapon, capable of cutting from either side. The semantic range is therefore narrow but potent, focusing on the quality of a sharp, incisive edge, often implying lethality and precision.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H6366 appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are significant:
* **[[Judges 3:16]]**: "And Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges (*pîyôt*), a cubit in length; and he girded it under his raiment upon his right thigh." Here, *pêyâh* is used in its plural form to describe the specific characteristic of Ehud's dagger, highlighting its unique and dangerous design. The "two edges" make it an exceptionally effective and lethal weapon, crucial for Ehud's mission.
* **[[Judges 3:22]]**: "And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, for he did not draw the dagger out of his belly; and it came out behind." Although *pêyâh* itself is not explicitly repeated in this verse, the context directly follows the description of the "two-edged" dagger from [[Judges 3:16]], underscoring its penetrating power and the complete efficacy of Ehud's strike. The dagger's design allowed for a deep, fatal wound.
* **[[Psalm 149:6]]**: "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword (*chereb pîyôt*) in their hand." This is arguably the most theologically significant use. Here, H6366 (again in the plural *pîyôt*) modifies `{{H2719}}` (חֶרֶב, *chereb*, "sword") to describe a "two-edged sword." This is placed in the hands of the saints, juxtaposed with "high praises of God" in their mouth. The context is one of divine judgment and the execution of God's decrees upon the nations. The "two-edged sword" symbolizes an instrument of decisive, irresistible power, wielded by God's people in fulfillment of His will. It signifies the sharpness and effectiveness required for such a task, whether understood literally in a military sense or metaphorically as a spiritual weapon.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is `{{H6310}}` (פֶּה, *peh*), from which H6366 is derived. Peh encompasses a broader semantic range including "mouth," "opening," "utterance," and also "edge" (e.g., the edge of a garment or a vessel). Pêyâh specifically narrows this to the concept of a sharp, cutting edge, often in the context of a weapon.
Other related concepts include:
* `{{H2719}}` (חֶרֶב, *chereb*): "sword," the most common object described as having a *pêyâh*.
* Sharpness and Incisiveness: The word inherently conveys the quality of being sharp, effective, and capable of cutting through.
* Judgment and Execution: In its most potent biblical usage (Psalm 149), H6366 is linked to the instruments of divine judgment and the execution of God's righteous decrees.
* Power and Authority: The "two-edged sword" is an emblem of formidable power and the authority to act decisively.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6366 largely stems from its appearance in [[Psalm 149:6]], where the "two-edged sword" is in the hands of the saints. This imagery is profoundly symbolic:
1. **Instrument of Divine Judgment:** The "two-edged sword" represents an instrument of God's righteous judgment and vengeance upon the nations. It underscores the active participation of God's people in the unfolding of His redemptive and judicial purposes. This is not a call to indiscriminate violence but an affirmation of God's sovereign justice being enacted through His chosen instruments.
2. **Efficacy of God's Will:** The "two edges" signify ultimate effectiveness and an irresistible ability to cut through opposition. When applied to God's purposes, it speaks to the certainty and power with which His will is accomplished.
3. **Foreshadowing of the Word of God:** While H6366 itself is an Old Testament term, the powerful imagery of the "two-edged sword" finds significant theological development in the New Testament. In `{{G1653}}` (μάχαιρα, *machaira*) and `{{G4501}}` (ῥομφαία, *rhomphaia*), the concept of a "two-edged sword" is explicitly applied to the Word of God (e.g., `{{G3162}}` in [[Hebrews 4:12]], [[Revelation 1:16]], [[Revelation 2:12]], [[Revelation 19:15]]). The Word of God is described as "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This New Testament application elevates the "edge" from a physical attribute to a spiritual one, signifying the penetrating, discerning, and judging power of divine truth. The Old Testament usage of *pêyâh* thus lays a foundational conceptual groundwork for this profound theological metaphor.
### Summary
H6366 (פֵּיָה, *pêyâh*) precisely denotes a sharp, cutting "edge," particularly emphasizing a "two-edged" quality. Derived from `{{H6310}}` (*peh*, "mouth," "edge"), it highlights the functional perimeter of an object designed for cutting. Its primary biblical occurrences describe the lethal efficiency of Ehud's dagger in Judges and, more significantly, the "two-edged sword" in the hands of the saints in [[Psalm 149:6]]. In this latter context, *pêyâh* symbolizes an instrument of divine judgment, representing the decisive and irresistible power by which God's righteous will is executed. This Old Testament imagery provides a crucial conceptual foundation for the New Testament's powerful metaphor of the Word of God as a "two-edged sword," underscoring its penetrating, discerning, and ultimately judging authority. The word, therefore, encapsulates the concept of incisive power and effective action, whether in physical combat or in the spiritual outworking of God's purposes.
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