The Hebrew word Pâʻûw, represented by H6464, is the name of a place in Edom. It is derived from a root meaning screaming. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, identifying the city of an Edomite king. The name is also rendered as Pai.
In the biblical narrative, H6464 appears exclusively within the genealogies of the kings of Edom. In Genesis, the city is called Pau and is identified as the city of King Hadar, who reigned after the death of Baalhanan the son of Achbor Genesis 36:39. A parallel account in 1 Chronicles names the city as Pai and identifies it as the city of King Hadad, who also reigned after Baalhanan died 1 Chronicles 1:50. In both instances, the name serves to anchor the reign of a specific Edomite ruler to a geographical location.
Several related words provide the context for the appearance of this place name:
- H5892 ʻîyr (a city): This is the generic term for which Pau/Pai is the specific name. Both accounts identify H6464 with the phrase "the name of his city" (Genesis 36:39, 1 Chronicles 1:50).
- H4427 mâlak (to reign): This word establishes the royal context. The city is only mentioned because its king reigned over Edom after his predecessor's death (Genesis 36:39, 1 Chronicles 1:50).
- H1924 Hădar (Hadar): This name identifies the Edomite king whose city was Pau Genesis 36:39. He is noted as having reigned after the death of Baalhanan. The parallel account in 1 Chronicles identifies this king as Hadad H1908 1 Chronicles 1:50.
The significance of H6464 lies in its contribution to the biblical record:
- Historical Specificity: The inclusion of Pau demonstrates the Bible's attention to detail in its historical records. By naming a specific city H5892 associated with a particular Edomite king, the text provides a geographical anchor for the genealogical list (Genesis 36:39, 1 Chronicles 1:50).
- Royal Succession: The mention of the city is always tied to a transition of power. It is named as the home of the king who reigned H4427 after his predecessor died H4191, highlighting the theme of royal succession within the Edomite lineage (Genesis 36:39, 1 Chronicles 1:50).
- Genealogical Record: The name is embedded within the formal accounting of Edom's rulers. The record extends to the king's wife, Mehetabel H4105, and her ancestry through her mother Matred H4308 and grandmother Mezahab H4314 Genesis 36:39.
In summary, Pâʻûw H6464 is a proper noun identifying a city in Edom. Its two appearances, as Pau and Pai, are found in parallel passages detailing the succession of Edomite kings. While not a word with deep doctrinal meaning, its presence is significant for grounding the biblical genealogies in a specific time and place, reinforcing the historical texture of the scriptural account.
TRV