(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to פָּסַס; the palm (of the hand, as being spread out); participle
Transliteration:paç
Pronunciation:pas
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term פַּס (paç), Strong's H6447, denotes the "palm of the hand." Its etymological root is understood to correspond to the Hebrew פָּסַס (pasas), which conveys the idea of being spread out or extended. This core meaning is intrinsic to the nature of the palm, which is the broad, flat, inner surface of the hand. While the entry notes "participle," its primary function in the biblical text is as a noun. Due to its extremely limited occurrence, its semantic range within the biblical corpus is very narrow, consistently referring to this specific anatomical part.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פַּס (paç) appears only once in the biblical text, in [[Daniel 5:5]]. This singular occurrence is profoundly significant:
"In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote."
The Aramaic text reads "פַּס־יְדָא" (pas-yeda), literally "palm of the hand." This precise detail emphasizes that it was not merely a generic "hand" but specifically the *palm* from which the fingers emerged to write. This visual detail underscores the supernatural and disembodied nature of the divine manifestation. Belshazzar witnessed the *source* of the writing, the very palm of the hand, making the miraculous event undeniable and terrifying. The context is that of divine judgment being inscribed directly onto the wall, a direct and visible act of God's intervention in human affairs, specifically against a king who had profaned sacred vessels.
### Related Words & Concepts
While פַּס (paç) is an Aramaic term, it shares conceptual space with several related Hebrew words. The most direct Hebrew equivalent for "palm" is `{{H3709}}` כַּף (kaph), which also denotes the sole of the foot. The more general Hebrew word for "hand" is `{{H3027}}` יָד (yad). In the context of [[Daniel 5:5]], פַּס specifies a particular part of the יָד (yad), making the description more vivid and precise. The concept of divine writing, particularly of judgment, connects to other biblical instances where God's decrees are inscribed or spoken with ultimate authority.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פַּס (paç) is derived almost entirely from its singular, dramatic appearance in [[Daniel 5:5]]. Here, the "palm of the hand" serves as the tangible, albeit supernatural, instrument of divine revelation and judgment.
1. **Divine Agency and Sovereignty:** The appearance of the disembodied "palm" signifies God's direct, active, and physical (though miraculous) intervention in human history. It underscores His absolute sovereignty over kings and kingdoms, demonstrating His power to depose rulers and execute judgment.
2. **Unmistakable Sign:** The writing on the wall by the "palm of a hand" was an undeniable, supernatural sign. It eliminated any doubt about the divine origin of the message, even if Belshazzar and his wise men could not initially interpret it. It was a clear manifestation of God's presence and purpose.
3. **Revelation of Judgment:** The "palm" is the means by which God's verdict against Belshazzar's impiety and pride is literally inscribed. It highlights the principle that God observes human actions and will hold individuals and nations accountable for their defiance against His holiness. The act of writing with a "palm" emphasizes the finality and irrevocability of the divine decree.
### Summary
The Aramaic word פַּס (paç), H6447, refers to the "palm of the hand," conveying the idea of a spread-out or extended surface. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Daniel 5:5]] is highly significant, describing the "palm" of the disembodied hand that miraculously wrote the message of judgment on the wall during Belshazzar's feast. Theologically, this unique event imbues the word with profound meaning, symbolizing God's direct, sovereign intervention in human affairs. The "palm" becomes a powerful emblem of divine agency, an unmistakable sign of God's presence, and the instrument by which His immutable decrees of judgment are revealed and executed against human pride and rebellion.
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