lemma פִּי הַחִרֹת yod, corrected to פִּי הַחִירֹת; xlit Pi corrected to Pîy; from פֶּה and the feminine plural of a noun (from the same root as חוֹר), with the article interpolated; mouth of the gorges; Pi-ha-Chiroth, a place in Egypt; Pi-hahiroth. (In Numbers 14:19 without Pi-.)
Transliteration:Pîy ha-Chîyrôth
Pronunciation:pee hah-khee-roth'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פִּי הַחִירֹת (Pîy ha-Chîyrôth, `{{H6367}}`) is a geographical place name, literally translating to "mouth of the gorges" or "mouth of the caverns/holes." It is derived from the noun פֶּה (peh, `{{H6310}}`), meaning "mouth" or "opening," and the feminine plural חִירֹת (Chîyrôth), which comes from the root חוֹר (chor, `{{H2352}}`), signifying "hole," "cavern," or "gorge." The definite article הַ (ha) is interpolated, making it "the gorges." As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to this specific location, denoting a narrow or constricted passage, likely at the opening of a series of natural indentations or geological formations. This descriptive name suggests a place characterized by confining topography, such as cliffs, ravines, or narrow passes, leading into or out of a more open area.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Pîy ha-Chîyrôth is mentioned four times in the Hebrew Bible, exclusively within the narrative of the Exodus, marking a critical point in Israel's journey from Egypt.
* In [[Exodus 14:2]], the Lord instructs Moses to command the Israelites to "turn back and encamp in front of Pîy ha-Chîyrôth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-Zephon; you shall encamp opposite it, by the sea." This divine directive strategically places the Israelites in a seemingly vulnerable position, hemmed in by the sea on one side and the wilderness, potentially with confining terrain, on the other.
* [[Exodus 14:9]] reiterates this location, stating that the Egyptians, with Pharaoh's chariots and cavalry, overtook the Israelites "encamped by the sea, at Pîy ha-Chîyrôth, in front of Baal-Zephon." The specific mention of this location underscores the apparent trap into which Israel had been led, creating the perfect scenario for God's miraculous intervention.
* The site reappears in the itinerary of the Exodus in the book of Numbers. [[Numbers 33:7]] recounts, "They set out from Etham and turned back to Pîy ha-Chîyrôth, which is opposite Baal-Zephon, and they encamped before Migdol."
* [[Numbers 33:8]] states, "They set out from Pîy ha-Chîyrôth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness; and they went a three days' journey in the wilderness of Etham and encamped at Marah." These passages in Numbers confirm Pîy ha-Chîyrôth as the specific encampment point immediately preceding the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, solidifying its identity as the geographical crucible of divine deliverance. The consistent geographical markers (Migdol, Baal-Zephon, the sea) reinforce the picture of a confined space.
### Related Words & Concepts
The components of Pîy ha-Chîyrôth connect it to broader lexical and thematic fields.
* The element פֶּה (peh, `{{H6310}}`), "mouth," is a common Hebrew term used for physical openings (e.g., the mouth of a well, the mouth of a sword) and metaphorically for speech or command. Here, it denotes a geographical opening or entrance to a confined area.
* The root חוֹר (chor, `{{H2352}}`), "hole" or "cavern," speaks to the geological features of the area, suggesting a landscape of deep cuts, fissures, or narrow passages. This root also appears in contexts of dark, hidden places.
* The other geographical markers mentioned alongside Pîy ha-Chîyrôth—Migdol (a watchtower or fortified place) and Baal-Zephon (a place likely associated with a Canaanite deity, Baal, and the north)—help to triangulate the location, emphasizing its strategic significance as a gateway or choke point.
* Conceptually, Pîy ha-Chîyrôth is inextricably linked to themes of divine entrapment and deliverance. It represents a seemingly inescapable predicament, a "dead end" where human strength and strategy are utterly useless. This situation is mirrored in other biblical narratives where God leads His people into difficult circumstances to reveal His power (e.g., the siege of Jericho, the battle against the Midianites with Gideon). The "mouth of the gorges" thus symbolizes a divinely orchestrated bottleneck designed to magnify God's salvific power.
### Theological Significance
Pîy ha-Chîyrôth is not merely a geographical marker; it is a divinely chosen stage for one of the most pivotal acts of salvation in the Old Testament. Its "mouth of the gorges" nature underscores the seemingly impossible situation in which Israel found itself: trapped between the advancing Egyptian army, the impassable sea, and the confining terrain.
1. **Divine Strategy and Sovereignty:** God intentionally directed Israel to this location ([[Exodus 14:2]]), demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over events. He led them into a "trap" not to abandon them, but to orchestrate a dramatic display of His power and to ensure Pharaoh's complete destruction. This highlights God's strategic wisdom, which often appears counter-intuitive from a human perspective.
2. **Crisis of Faith and Divine Intervention:** The encampment at Pîy ha-Chîyrôth became a crucible for Israel's faith. Faced with imminent destruction, their fear and complaints against Moses were profound ([[Exodus 14:10-12]]). Yet, it was precisely at this point of human despair that God intervened, parting the Red Sea and delivering His people. The "mouth of the gorges" thus symbolizes the point of no return, where human resources fail, and divine omnipotence is revealed.
3. **Symbol of Salvation and Redemption:** The crossing of the Red Sea at Pîy ha-Chîyrôth is a foundational act of redemption in Israel's history, frequently referenced in later biblical texts as the paradigmatic act of God's salvation. It foreshadows future deliverances and, in Christian theology, is often seen as a type of baptism, symbolizing liberation from bondage and new life in covenant with God. The narrow "mouth" becomes the gateway to freedom.
### Summary
Pîy ha-Chîyrôth (`{{H6367}}`), meaning "mouth of the gorges," is a crucial geographical location in the Exodus narrative, mentioned in [[Exodus 14:2]], [[Exodus 14:9]], [[Numbers 33:7]], and [[Numbers 33:8]]. Its name aptly describes a confined, perhaps narrow and difficult, topographical setting. Theologically, Pîy ha-Chîyrôth represents a divinely orchestrated "trap" where the Israelites were seemingly cornered by Pharaoh's army, with the Red Sea and challenging terrain blocking their escape. This seemingly desperate situation was, in fact, God's strategic design to demonstrate His absolute power and sovereignty. It served as a critical point of crisis that tested Israel's faith and led to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, establishing Pîy ha-Chîyrôth as the symbolic gateway to Israel's liberation and a profound testament to God's redemptive power.
TRV