a primitive root; to rend, i.e. open (especially the mouth); deliver, gape, open, rid, utter.
Transliteration:pâtsâh
Pronunciation:paw-tsaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H6475 (פָּצָה, *pâtsâh*) is a primitive verb primarily conveying the act of "opening," often with an implication of wide, forceful, or gaping expansion. Its most frequent application is to the opening of the mouth, whether for speech, consumption, or expression of desire. The semantic range extends from a literal physical opening, such as the earth rending itself, to a more figurative "uttering" of words. The idea of "rending" suggests a tearing or splitting open, implying a significant, sometimes violent, act of disclosure or consumption. While the base definition includes "deliver" and "rid," these senses are often a consequence of the opening action rather than a direct meaning of the verb itself; for instance, the earth opening to "rid" the land of rebels. Thus, pâtsâh encompasses the actions of gaping, opening wide, and uttering, often with a sense of aggressive intent, insatiable desire, or divine judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H6475 in the Hebrew Bible reveal its nuanced applications:
One of the most striking and theologically significant uses is found in the narrative of Korah's rebellion, where the earth supernaturally "opened its mouth" to swallow Dathan and Abiram and their households:
* [[Numbers 16:30]]: "But if the Lord brings about an entirely new thing, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have despised the Lord."
* [[Numbers 16:32]]: "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods."
* [[Numbers 26:10]]: "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, and they became a warning."
In these contexts, pâtsâh denotes a terrifying act of divine judgment, where creation itself becomes an instrument of God's wrath, indicating a forceful, decisive, and irreversible opening.
Another prominent usage describes the opening of the mouth in various human and metaphorical contexts:
* [[Lamentations 2:16]]: "All your enemies open their mouths wide against you; they hiss and gnash their teeth; they say, 'We have swallowed her up! Ah, this is the day we longed for; we have found it; we have seen it!'" Here, the opening of the mouth signifies hostile mockery, triumphant derision, and a predatory desire to consume or destroy.
* [[Psalm 22:13]]: "They open wide their mouths against me, like a ravening and roaring lion." This vivid simile portrays the enemies of the psalmist as savage beasts, ready to devour, emphasizing the vulnerability and extreme distress of the one being attacked.
* [[Psalm 38:13]]: "But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear; like a mute man, I do not open my mouth." In contrast to the enemies, the suffering psalmist chooses not to pâtsâh his mouth, indicating a deliberate silence, perhaps in resignation or as a refusal to respond to slander.
* [[Job 35:16]]: "So Job opens his mouth in empty talk; he multiplies words without knowledge." This verse critiques Job's speech, suggesting that his utterances are without substance, a mere gape of words without true insight or wisdom.
* [[Isaiah 5:14]]: "Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite and opened its mouth beyond measure, and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down, her revelers and he who exults in her." Here, pâtsâh describes Sheol's insatiable hunger, personifying the grave as a monstrous entity that widely opens its maw to consume the wicked, linking the act of opening to divine judgment and the consequences of sin.
* [[Habakkuk 2:5]]: "Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man, who does not stay at home; he enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and he is like death, never satisfied; he gathers for himself all nations and collects for himself all peoples." The proud man's insatiable greed is likened to Sheol's limitless pâtsâh, reinforcing the imagery of an ever-gaping, never-satisfied desire.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H6475 intersects with several other Hebrew terms related to opening and speaking:
* `{{H6605}}` (pâthach): This is a more general and common word for "to open" (e.g., a door, a book, the hand). While pâthach can also apply to the mouth, pâtsâh often implies a wider, more forceful, or even violent opening, or one that is specifically for a significant utterance or consumption.
* `{{H1818}}` (dâvar): The general verb "to speak," focusing on the content of speech. H6475 focuses on the physical act of opening the mouth that enables speech.
* `{{H6310}}` (peh): The noun "mouth," which is the object of the verb pâtsâh in many instances.
* `{{H7451}}` (ra‘ah): "evil" or "wickedness," often associated with the outcome of opening the mouth in malice or judgment.
The concept of "opening" is crucial in biblical thought, ranging from the opening of the heavens, the womb, or the eyes, to the opening of the mouth for blessing or curse. H6475 specifically highlights openings that are significant, often dramatic, and carry weighty implications, whether of divine action, human malice, or insatiable desire.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6475 is profound, particularly in its portrayal of divine power and the nature of human expression:
1. **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty:** The most potent theological illustration of pâtsâh is the earth opening its mouth in [[Numbers 16]], a direct, undeniable act of God's judgment against rebellion. This demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation, where even the ground responds to His command to execute justice. It serves as a terrifying reminder of the consequences of defying the Lord.
2. **The Peril and Power of Speech:** When applied to the mouth, pâtsâh underscores the immense power and potential peril of human speech. It can be used for:
* **Malicious intent:** Enemies "gaping" with mockery and aggression ([[Lamentations 2:16]], [[Psalm 22:13]]). This reveals the destructive capacity of words and the spiritual warfare faced by the righteous.
* **Foolishness and Emptiness:** Job's "empty talk" ([[Job 35:16]]) highlights the danger of speaking without wisdom or knowledge, emphasizing the need for thoughtful and Spirit-led utterance.
* **Righteous Silence:** The psalmist's refusal to "open his mouth" ([[Psalm 38:13]]) can signify patient endurance, trust in God, or a strategic refusal to engage with slander, demonstrating a different kind of strength.
3. **The Insatiability of Sin and Death:** The imagery of Sheol and the arrogant man opening their mouths wide ([[Isaiah 5:14]], [[Habakkuk 2:5]]) points to the insatiable nature of sin, pride, and death. These forces relentlessly consume, symbolizing the ultimate consequence of turning away from God. This imagery serves as a stark warning against spiritual complacency and unbridled desire.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H6475 (פָּצָה, *pâtsâh*) fundamentally describes a forceful or wide "opening," most frequently applied to the mouth or the ground. Its core meaning encompasses rending, gaping, and uttering. Biblically, pâtsâh is a word laden with theological weight, primarily illustrating:
1. **Divine Judgment:** Most powerfully seen in the earth opening to consume the rebellious, demonstrating God's awesome power and justice.
2. **The Nature of Human Speech:** It portrays both the destructive potential of malicious or foolish words and, conversely, the spiritual strength found in righteous silence.
3. **The Insatiability of Evil:** The imagery of Sheol or the proud man opening their mouths wide vividly communicates the relentless and consuming nature of death, sin, and unchecked human desire.
Thus, pâtsâh is not merely a descriptive verb but a term that illuminates profound truths about God's sovereignty, the moral dimensions of human action, and the ultimate consequences of sin.
TRV