### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פָּעָה (pâʻâh), Strong's number `{{H6463}}`, is a primitive root defined as "to scream" or "to cry." Its fundamental meaning conveys a loud, often vehement, and unrestrained vocalization. Unlike a gentle murmur or a quiet sigh, *pâʻâh* suggests an outburst of sound born of intense emotion or significant exertion. The semantic range, though narrow due to its limited occurrences, indicates a cry that can stem from various powerful states, including distress, pain, triumph, or the immense effort involved in bringing something forth. Being a "primitive root," its very sound may be onomatopoeic, reflecting the raw, visceral nature of the cry itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *pâʻâh* `{{H6463}}` appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering a distinct and powerful contextual nuance:
1. **[[Jeremiah 50:11]]**: "Because you were glad, because you rejoiced, O destroyers of My heritage, because you bounded about like a heifer threshing grain and *pâʻâh* like stallions."
* Here, *pâʻâh* describes the exultant cry of the Babylonian destroyers of Judah. The imagery of a "heifer threshing grain" (bounding unrestrainedly) and "stallions" (known for their loud, unrestrained neighs) suggests an unbridled, insolent, and triumphant cry. It is a shout of destructive glee, a loud expression of arrogant joy over the desolation they have wrought upon God's people. This is a cry of unholy celebration, devoid of empathy or restraint.
2. **[[Isaiah 42:14]]**: "I have been silent for a long time; I have held My peace and restrained Myself. Now I will cry out `{{H6463}}` like a woman in labor; I will gasp and *pâʻâh* `{{H6463}}` at once."
* In this profound prophetic declaration, *pâʻâh* is attributed to YHWH Himself. The divine cry is explicitly compared to that of a woman in childbirth. This metaphor conveys immense pain, intense exertion, and the inevitability of a powerful, transformative act. After a period of divine silence and restraint, God is about to intervene decisively. His *pâʻâh* signifies a breaking forth of His long-suppressed wrath and justice, leading to a new creation or a significant judgment that will reshape history. It is a cry of powerful resolve, bringing forth new realities.
### Related Words & Concepts
*Pâʻâh* `{{H6463}}` stands within a rich lexical field of Hebrew words denoting various forms of vocalization and crying. While distinct in its specific nuance, it shares conceptual space with:
* `{{H6817}}` (tsaʻaq): To cry out, often in distress, for help, or in protest.
* `{{H7442}}` (ranan): To shout for joy, to sing aloud, often in triumph or exultation.
* `{{H2226}}` (zaʻaq): To cry out, to call, often for assembly or in alarm.
* `{{H7768}}` (shava'): To cry for help, to implore.
* `{{H1971}}` (halal): To praise, boast, often involving a loud, boisterous sound.
Unlike some of these, *pâʻâh* emphasizes the raw, primal, and often unrestrained nature of the sound, whether from destructive triumph or divine labor. It is consistently associated with a powerful, uncontainable outburst, rather than a controlled or measured utterance.
### Theological Significance
The rare but potent appearances of *pâʻâh* `{{H6463}}` carry significant theological weight.
In [[Jeremiah 50:11]], the word vividly portrays the depth of human depravity and the insolence of those who revel in destruction. The "cry" of Babylon is a manifestation of unholy pride and unrestrained wickedness, a sound that provokes divine judgment. It underscores the moral bankruptcy of those who find joy in the suffering of others and the desolation of God's heritage.
Conversely, in [[Isaiah 42:14]], the application of *pâʻâh* to YHWH reveals a powerful aspect of divine action. God's "cry like a woman in labor" portrays Him not as a distant, impassive deity, but as intimately involved and deeply invested in the unfolding of His plan. This imagery conveys the intense effort, the pain of bringing forth new realities (whether through judgment or redemption), and the unstoppable nature of His intervention. It signifies that divine patience has reached its limit, and a momentous, transformative act is imminent. This divine *pâʻâh* is a cry of righteous resolve, bringing forth justice and a new order.
The striking juxtaposition of these two uses highlights the profound contrast between human sin and divine righteousness. One *pâʻâh* is a cry of destructive human arrogance; the other, a cry of potent divine will, bringing forth judgment and renewal. Both are loud, forceful, and indicative of an irreversible turning point.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פָּעָה (pâʻâh), `{{H6463}}`, is a primitive root signifying a loud, vehement "scream" or "cry." Though appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its occurrences are profoundly impactful. In [[Jeremiah 50:11]], it depicts the unbridled, arrogant triumph of Babylon, reveling in the destruction of God's heritage. In stark contrast, [[Isaiah 42:14]] employs *pâʻâh* to describe YHWH's impending, powerful intervention, likening His cry to that of a woman in labor—a sound of intense exertion, pain, and the inevitable bringing forth of new realities. This word consistently denotes a raw, visceral outburst, whether expressing human depravity or divine resolve. Theologically, *pâʻâh* illuminates both the depth of human sin in its destructive glee and the active, transformative, and profoundly invested nature of God's engagement with His creation.
TRV