from פָּקַד; punishment; Pekod, a symbolic name for Babylon; Pekod.
Transliteration:Pᵉqôwd
Pronunciation:pek-ode'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פְּקוֹד (Pᵉqôwd, `{{H6489}}`) is derived from the verbal root פָּקַד (paqad, `{{H6485}}`). The root paqad carries a broad semantic range, encompassing ideas such as "to visit," "to attend to," "to muster," "to appoint," "to remember," and significantly, "to hold accountable" or "to punish." Pᵉqôwd, as a noun, distills this punitive aspect of paqad. Its primary meaning is "punishment" or "visitation for judgment." Beyond this abstract meaning, it functions as a proper noun, specifically a symbolic or geographical designation for Babylon or a region within it. Thus, Pᵉqôwd embodies the concept of a place or people marked for divine reckoning and retribution.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term Pᵉqôwd appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within prophetic contexts concerning the judgment of nations:
1. **[[Jeremiah 50:21]]**: "Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Attack them and utterly destroy them, declares the Lord, and do all that I have commanded you."
* In this passage, Pᵉqôwd is listed alongside "Merathaim" (which itself means "double rebellion" or "double bitterness"), both likely symbolic names for regions within Babylon or for Babylon itself. The context is a powerful oracle against Babylon, declaring its imminent destruction by divine command. The command to "attack them and utterly destroy them" directly aligns Pᵉqôwd with the concept of punishment and complete devastation, reinforcing its inherent meaning. It signifies a land destined for God's punitive visitation.
2. **[[Ezekiel 23:23]]**: "the Babylonians, and all the Chaldeans, Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, handsome young men, governors and commanders all of them, charioteers and noblemen, all of them riding on horses."
* Here, Pᵉqôwd is listed among various groups or tribes associated with the Babylonian and Assyrian empires. This verse is part of Ezekiel's allegory of Oholah and Oholibah, representing Samaria and Jerusalem, respectively, and their spiritual harlotry through alliances with foreign powers. While some interpret Pᵉqôwd here as a specific tribal name (e.g., a Chaldean tribe), its presence alongside other potentially symbolic names like "Shoa" ("noble" or "rich") and "Koa" ("prince" or "ruler") suggests it might still carry its semantic weight as "punishment" or "visitation." In this context, these groups are the instruments through whom God brings judgment upon Judah, yet they themselves are also subject to divine oversight. The listing of these formidable forces emphasizes the overwhelming power that God would wield against His unfaithful people, even as these nations would eventually face their own Pᵉqôwd.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the verbal root פָּקַד (paqad, `{{H6485}}`), from which Pᵉqôwd is derived. The broad semantic range of paqad includes:
* **Visitation (for good or ill):** God "visits" His people to bless them or to bring judgment. Pᵉqôwd specifically narrows this to the negative aspect.
* **Accountability and Oversight:** To muster, number, appoint, or charge someone with a task.
* **Punishment/Reckoning:** To hold someone accountable for their actions, leading to consequences.
Other notable derivatives of paqad that share semantic overlap with Pᵉqôwd include:
* פְּקֻדָּה (pĕquddah, `{{H6486}}`): "visitation," "oversight," "charge," or "punishment." This noun directly reflects the various facets of the root, including the punitive one.
* פִּקּוּד (piqqud, `{{H6487}}`): "precepts" or "statutes," referring to divine commands that are "appointed" or "committed."
Conceptually, Pᵉqôwd is intricately linked to divine judgment, retribution, accountability, and the theological principle of God's sovereignty over nations. It embodies the idea that no nation, however powerful, can escape God's ultimate reckoning.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Pᵉqôwd lies primarily in its application to Babylon, the very nation God used as an instrument of judgment against Judah. By naming a part of Babylon, or Babylon itself, "Pekod" (Punishment), the prophets declare God's immutable justice and His universal sovereignty.
1. **Divine Justice and Retribution:** Pᵉqôwd serves as a powerful declaration that God holds all nations accountable for their actions. Even though Babylon was used to punish Judah for its sins, Babylon itself would face its own "visitation of punishment" for its arrogance, cruelty, and idolatry. This highlights the principle of divine *quid pro quo* – those who inflict punishment will themselves be punished.
2. **God's Sovereignty Over Nations:** The prophetic use of Pᵉqôwd underscores that God is not merely the God of Israel, but the sovereign Lord of all creation and all nations. He raises up empires and casts them down according to His divine plan and righteous judgment.
3. **Prophetic Declaration:** The name "Pekod" is more than a geographical marker; it is a prophetic utterance, a symbolic label that pre-emptively declares Babylon's destiny. It signifies that Babylon is the land appointed for divine reckoning, a place whose very name encapsulates its future.
4. **Comfort for the Exiles:** For the exiled Israelites suffering under Babylonian oppression, the prophecy of Pᵉqôwd would have offered immense comfort. It was a divine assurance that their suffering was not without end, and that their oppressor, despite its present might, would ultimately face God's justice.
### Summary
פְּקוֹד (Pᵉqôwd, `{{H6489}}`) is a Hebrew term derived from the root פָּקַד (paqad, `{{H6485}}`), signifying "punishment" or "visitation for judgment." It functions as a symbolic name for Babylon or a region within it, appearing in prophetic condemnations in [[Jeremiah 50:21]] and [[Ezekiel 23:23]]. Theologically, Pᵉqôwd powerfully conveys God's unwavering justice and His absolute sovereignty over all nations. Its application to Babylon, the instrument of God's judgment against Judah, underscores the principle that even those used by God for His purposes are ultimately held accountable for their own actions, affirming that God will bring retribution upon all who defy His righteous standards. It served as a profound prophetic declaration of Babylon's destined downfall and a source of hope for the oppressed.
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