probably from an unused root meaning to be plump; obesity; collops.
Transliteration:pîymâh
Pronunciation:pee-maw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H6371 (פִּימָה, *pîymâh*) is derived from an unused root believed to convey the sense "to be plump." Its core meaning denotes physical fatness, specifically "obesity" or "collops," referring to layers or rolls of fat. The semantic range of *pîymâh* is quite narrow, focusing exclusively on this physical characteristic of corpulence. It describes a state of being excessively fleshy, emphasizing the accumulation of adipose tissue. Its singular occurrence in the biblical text suggests a specialized or emphatic usage rather than a common descriptor.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *pîymâh* appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in [[Job 15:27]]. This solitary instance is found within Eliphaz's second discourse to Job, where he describes the characteristics and ultimate fate of the wicked: "Because he has covered his face with his fatness (פִּימָה), and made collops of fat on his flanks."
In this context, *pîymâh* serves as a powerful, albeit stark, metaphor. Eliphaz paints a picture of a wicked man who is not merely prosperous but excessively so, to the point of grotesque physical indulgence. The "fatness" covering the face suggests a spiritual and intellectual dullness, an insensitivity to truth, or perhaps even a self-imposed blindness that prevents true perception. The "collops of fat on his flanks" further emphasizes this excessive physical well-being, which, in Eliphaz's argument, is paradoxically a sign of the wicked man's impending downfall. This physical description is tied to the man's arrogance and rebellion against God, as described in the preceding verses ([[Job 15:25-26]]). The image conveys a sense of being bloated by prosperity, leading to a spiritual hardening and an inability to perceive divine judgment or one's own true condition.
### Related Words & Concepts
While *pîymâh* is unique in its specific nuance, several other Hebrew terms relate to the concepts of fatness, prosperity, and spiritual condition:
* `{{H2459}}` (חֵלֶב, *ḥēleḇ*): This word primarily means "fat," often referring to the best or richest part of an animal, particularly in the context of sacrifices. While *ḥēleḇ* can denote richness or abundance, *pîymâh* specifically highlights an excessive, perhaps negative, accumulation of fat.
* `{{H8082}}` (שָׁמֵן, *šāmēn*): A verb meaning "to be fat" or "to grow rich." This term is frequently used in a negative sense to describe those who become complacent, proud, or rebellious due to prosperity, as seen in [[Deuteronomy 32:15]] where Jeshurun "grew fat and kicked." This parallel is particularly strong, as both *pîymâh* and *šāmēn* connect physical fatness with spiritual arrogance or hardening.
* `{{H1277}}` (בָּשָׂר, *bāśār*): "Flesh," often used to denote human weakness, mortality, or the physical aspect of humanity in contrast to the spirit. While *pîymâh* describes a specific state of the *bāśār*, it carries a moral judgment absent from the more neutral *bāśār*.
The concept of excessive prosperity leading to spiritual decay is a recurring theme in wisdom literature, connecting *pîymâh* to broader discussions on the dangers of materialism, self-indulgence, and pride.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of *pîymâh* in [[Job 15:27]] imbues it with significant theological weight within its specific context. It serves as a powerful symbol of the spiritual consequences of unchecked material prosperity and self-indulgence. The "fatness" is not merely a physical description but a metaphor for a spiritual condition:
1. **Spiritual Blindness/Insensitivity:** The fat covering the "face" implies a dulling of perception, an inability to see truth, or a deliberate turning away from divine reality. It suggests a spiritual hardening, where the heart becomes impervious to God's warnings or the suffering of others.
2. **Arrogance and Self-Sufficiency:** The excessive physical comfort described by *pîymâh* is depicted as fostering a spirit of pride and self-sufficiency, leading the wicked man to "stretch out his hand against God" ([[Job 15:25]]). This physical state becomes an outward manifestation of an inward spiritual rebellion.
3. **The Perils of Prosperity:** The passage in Job highlights a recurring biblical theme: while prosperity can be a blessing, it also carries the inherent danger of leading one away from God, fostering complacency, and ultimately contributing to spiritual decay. *pîymâh* encapsulates the idea that physical abundance, when pursued or experienced without humility and spiritual vigilance, can lead to spiritual obesity and a tragic disconnect from the divine.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6371 (פִּימָה, *pîymâh*), meaning "obesity" or "collops of fat," is a rare but potent term in the biblical lexicon. Its sole appearance in [[Job 15:27]] provides a vivid metaphorical description of the wicked man. In this context, *pîymâh* transcends mere physical description, serving as a powerful symbol of excessive material prosperity that leads to spiritual hardening, insensitivity, and an arrogant self-sufficiency. Theologically, it underscores the profound biblical warning that unchecked physical indulgence and prosperity can blind individuals to divine truth and lead them into a state of spiritual decay, ultimately contributing to their downfall.
TRV