from פָּקַד; a deposit; that which was delivered (to keep), store.
Transliteration:piqqâdôwn
Pronunciation:pik-kaw-done'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun פִּקָּדוֹן (piqqâdôwn, `{{H6487}}`) is derived from the verbal root פָּקַד (paqad, `{{H6485}}`), a multifaceted root meaning "to visit," "to attend to," "to appoint," "to number," and crucially, "to entrust" or "to commit into charge." Building upon this foundational sense of entrustment, פִּקָּדוֹן specifically denotes something that has been *deposited*, *entrusted*, or *committed* to another for safekeeping. Its core semantic range includes "a deposit," "that which was delivered (to keep)," or "store." The term carries an inherent implication of responsibility on the part of the recipient to guard, preserve, and eventually return or account for the entrusted item. It speaks to a relationship of trust and accountability concerning a valuable possession or charge.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פִּקָּדוֹן appears in three distinct contexts within the Hebrew Bible, each shedding light on its nuanced meaning:
1. **Legal and Ethical Context:** In [[Leviticus 6:2]] (MT 5:21), פִּקָּדוֹן refers to an item given for safekeeping, where a sin is committed by dealing falsely with a neighbor concerning it: "If anyone sins and commits a trespass against the Lord by dealing falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit (פִּקָּדוֹן) or security, or through robbery, or if he has oppressed his neighbor..." Here, the word highlights the legal and ethical obligation to protect and return entrusted property. To deny having received a deposit, or to misuse it, is considered a serious breach of trust and a trespass against both the neighbor and the Lord. This underscores the sanctity of agreements and the importance of integrity in financial and material dealings.
2. **Financial and Administrative Context:** In [[2 Kings 12:16]] (MT 12:15), פִּקָּדוֹן is used in the context of temple repairs under King Joash: "...They did not require an accounting from the men into whose hand the money was delivered to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt faithfully." The "money delivered" (הַכֶּסֶף הַמּוּבָא) is implicitly treated as a deposit or fund entrusted to those overseeing the work. The lack of an accounting was not due to negligence, but to the demonstrated faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה) of the men. This usage emphasizes the concept of a fund or resource entrusted for a specific purpose, and the expectation of integrity and trustworthiness in its management.
3. **Prophetic and Metaphorical Context:** In [[Isaiah 8:16]], the usage is more metaphorical and profound: "Bind up the testimony; seal the law among my disciples." While some translations render פִּקָּדוֹן more literally as "store" or "deposit," the sense is that God's divine word – the "testimony" (תְּעוּדָה) and "law" (תּוֹרָה) – is a sacred deposit to be guarded and preserved by Isaiah's disciples. This implies that divine revelation is a precious treasure, a sacred trust, committed to a faithful remnant for safekeeping and transmission to future generations. This context elevates the concept of פִּקָּדוֹן from a material possession to the very Word of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of פִּקָּדוֹן is enriched by examining its relationship to other terms and theological concepts:
* **Root פָּקַד (paqad, `{{H6485}}`):** As its verbal root, פָּקַד provides the foundational meaning of "to entrust" or "to appoint." פִּקָּדוֹן is the *object* of this entrustment, the item or responsibility itself. Understanding the broad semantic range of the root helps to grasp the depth of the noun.
* **פִּקּוּדִים (piqqudîm, `{{H6490}}`):** Often translated as "precepts" or "statutes," particularly in the Psalms (e.g., [[Psalm 119]]), this related noun also derives from פָּקַד. While פִּקָּדוֹן refers to a physical or conceptual deposit, פִּקּוּדִים refers to God's divine commands or appointments to humanity. Both terms share the sense of something given by divine authority to be kept, obeyed, or guarded.
* **אֱמוּנָה ('emunah, `{{H530}}`):** Meaning "faithfulness" or "trust," this concept is intrinsically linked to פִּקָּדוֹן. The act of entrusting a deposit requires trust, and the proper handling of it demands faithfulness. The example in 2 Kings explicitly connects the two, highlighting that the integrity of those handling the funds obviated the need for further accounting because they "dealt faithfully."
* **Stewardship:** The concept of פִּקָּדוֹן directly relates to stewardship. When something is given as a deposit, the recipient becomes a steward, responsible for managing and safeguarding what belongs to another. This extends to all aspects of life where individuals are entrusted with resources, responsibilities, or divine truths.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פִּקָּדוֹן is profound, touching upon divine attributes and human responsibility:
* **Divine Trust and Human Accountability:** The very existence of the concept of פִּקָּדוֹן in scripture underscores God's nature as the ultimate bestower of trust. From the initial creation mandate ([[Genesis 1:28]]) to specific covenant responsibilities, God consistently entrusts His creation, His resources, and His word to humanity. This entrustment establishes a framework of accountability, where humans are expected to be faithful stewards of what has been deposited into their care.
* **The Value of Integrity and Faithfulness:** The legal and administrative contexts of פִּקָּדוֹן (Leviticus, 2 Kings) highlight God's profound concern for integrity and faithfulness in human dealings. To defraud or misuse a deposit is not merely a civil offense but a trespass against the Lord Himself. This emphasizes that ethical conduct in material matters is a spiritual discipline, reflecting one's relationship with God.
* **The Preservation of Divine Revelation:** The metaphorical use in Isaiah is perhaps the most theologically weighty. God's "testimony" and "law" are presented as a sacred פִּקָּדוֹן, a divine trust committed to His faithful disciples. This implies the inestimable value of God's Word and the solemn duty of His people to guard, preserve, and transmit this truth across generations. It speaks to the inspiration, authority, and enduring nature of the Scriptures, which are a divine deposit for the Church.
* **God's Faithfulness as the Basis for Human Trust:** While the word primarily focuses on human responsibility, it implicitly points to God's own unwavering faithfulness. He is the one who faithfully entrusts His purposes and promises to His people, and His character provides the ultimate ground for human trust and the motivation for faithful stewardship.
### Summary
פִּקָּדוֹן (piqqâdôwn, `{{H6487}}`) is a rich Hebrew term signifying "a deposit" or "that which is entrusted for safekeeping," directly derived from the root פָּקַד (paqad, `{{H6485}}`), "to entrust." Its limited but significant occurrences in the Hebrew Bible reveal its multifaceted meaning: as a legal term for property held in trust ([[Leviticus 6:2]]), a financial term for funds managed with integrity ([[2 Kings 12:16]]), and a profound metaphorical term for divine revelation committed to God's people for preservation ([[Isaiah 8:16]]). The word consistently highlights themes of trust, responsibility, integrity, and stewardship. Theologically, פִּקָּדוֹן underscores the serious nature of human accountability for what God has entrusted, whether material possessions, financial resources, or the sacred truth of His Word. It serves as a potent reminder for believers to exercise utmost faithfulness in guarding and stewarding all that has been deposited into their care by the sovereign God.
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