for פֵּיָה; an edge or tooth; tooth, [idiom] two-edged.
Transliteration:pîyphîyâh
Pronunciation:pee-fee-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פִּיפִיָּה (pîyphîyâh), Strong's number `{{H6374}}`, is a rare term derived from or related to פֵּיָה (pêyâh), which itself is closely linked to the more common word פֶּה (peh, `{{H6366}}`), meaning "mouth" or "edge." The core meaning of פִּיפִיָּה centers on the concept of an "edge" or "tooth," specifically emphasizing a dual quality. Its primary idiomatic sense is "two-edged," denoting an object possessing two cutting sides. This implies a heightened capacity for cutting, piercing, or inflicting a wound, distinguishing it from a single-edged implement. The term highlights the sharpness and effectiveness of the object it describes, often in the context of a weapon.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פִּיפִיָּה (pîyphîyâh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Judges:
* **Judges 3:16**: "And Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he girded it under his raiment upon his right thigh." [[Judges 3:16]]
In this sole occurrence, the word precisely describes the unique characteristic of Ehud's sword. The "two edges" (חֶרֶב פִּיפִיּוֹת - ḥereḇ pîyphîyôt, literally "sword of two edges") are central to the narrative's plot. Ehud, being left-handed, was able to conceal this double-edged dagger on his right thigh, a place where a right-handed guard would not typically check. The dual edges allowed for a fatal thrust that went unnoticed, enabling Ehud to assassinate Eglon, the corpulent king of Moab. The specificity of the weapon's design, highlighted by פִּיפִיָּה, is thus crucial to the success of Ehud's mission and the subsequent deliverance of Israel from Moabite oppression. The context is entirely literal, describing a physical attribute of a weapon.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is פֶּה (peh, `{{H6366}}`), which serves as the root for "mouth" but also extends to mean "edge" (e.g., the edge of a sword, the edge of a garment, or the edge of a land). The reduplication or specific form in פִּיפִיָּה emphasizes the *two-ness* of the edge.
Other related concepts and words include:
* **חֶרֶב (ḥereḇ, `{{H2719}}`)**: The general Hebrew word for "sword." פִּיפִיָּה describes a specific type or characteristic of a sword.
* **Sharpness and Piercing**: The very nature of a "two-edged" object conveys the concepts of keenness, penetration, and efficacy in cutting or dividing.
* **Judgment and Deliverance**: In the broader biblical narrative, instruments of war, especially those with unique capabilities, often serve as tools for divine judgment against oppressors and deliverance for God's people. Ehud's two-edged sword is a prime example of such an instrument in the hands of a divinely appointed deliverer.
### Theological Significance
While פִּיפִיָּה itself appears only once in a literal context, its theological significance can be understood in several ways:
1. **Divine Instrument of Deliverance**: The specific design of Ehud's two-edged sword, emphasized by פִּיפִיָּה, underscores that God often uses precise and even unconventional means to bring about His purposes. Ehud's unique weapon was perfectly suited for his task, becoming an instrument of God's deliverance for Israel from the hand of Moab. It highlights divine providence in providing the exact tool needed for a specific act of judgment and salvation.
2. **Symbolic Resonance (Later Development)**: Although פִּיפִיָּה in the Old Testament is a literal description, the concept of a "two-edged sword" takes on profound symbolic meaning in later biblical literature, particularly in the New Testament. The Greek equivalent δίστομος (distomos, `{{G1366}}`) is used to describe the word of God as "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" [[Hebrews 4:12]]. Similarly, it describes the sword proceeding from Christ's mouth in Revelation [[Revelation 1:16]], [[Revelation 2:12]], [[Revelation 19:15]]. While not a direct linguistic link from פִּיפִיָּה, the Old Testament's literal instance of a highly effective, two-edged weapon provides a conceptual foundation for understanding the power, precision, and penetrative nature attributed to God's word and judgment in later theological development.
### Summary
פִּיפִיָּה (pîyphîyâh, `{{H6374}}`) is a rare Hebrew term, appearing only in [[Judges 3:16]], where it literally describes the "two edges" of Ehud's sword. Derived from a root meaning "mouth" or "edge," this word emphasizes the dual cutting surfaces of a weapon, highlighting its enhanced capacity for piercing and effectiveness. In its sole biblical occurrence, the two-edged nature of Ehud's sword is crucial to the narrative, serving as the specific instrument of divine judgment against King Eglon and the deliverance of Israel. While its Old Testament usage is strictly literal, the concept of a "two-edged sword" later develops into a powerful theological metaphor in the New Testament, symbolizing the penetrating power and discerning nature of God's word and divine judgment.
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