from פָּקַד; a superintendent (civil, military or religious); which had the charge, governor, office, overseer, (that) was set.
Transliteration:pâqîyd
Pronunciation:paw-keed'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פָּקִיד (pâqîyd), transliterated as pâqîyd, is derived from the verbal root פָּקַד (pâqad - `{{H6485}}`), meaning "to visit, attend to, appoint, muster, number, punish, command." As a noun, pâqîyd signifies "one who has been appointed" or "one who is visited with a charge." Its core meaning revolves around the concept of a superintendent, overseer, or administrator. The semantic range is broad, encompassing individuals entrusted with significant responsibility and authority in various spheres:
* **Civil Administration:** A governor, officer, or one charged with oversight of land or resources.
* **Military Command:** An officer or commander within a military structure.
* **Religious/Temple Service:** An overseer or chief officer within the temple or priestly administration.
The term consistently implies a position of delegated authority, requiring vigilance, management, and accountability for a specific task or domain. It is not merely a general leader, but one specifically *set* or *commissioned* for a particular charge.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word pâqîyd appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, illustrating its diverse applications:
* **Civil Authority:** In [[Genesis 41:34]], Joseph advises Pharaoh to "appoint officers" (pâqîyd) over the land of Egypt to manage the grain collection during the years of plenty, demonstrating their role in large-scale national administration and resource management. Similarly, [[2 Chronicles 24:11]] mentions the king's officers (pâqîyd) involved in collecting money for the temple repair, highlighting their administrative function in royal decrees.
* **Religious Administration:** The term is frequently used in the context of the temple and its personnel. [[Nehemiah 11:9]] refers to Joel, the son of Zichri, as the "overseer" (pâqîyd) over the residents of Jerusalem. [[Nehemiah 11:22]] further specifies Uzzi as the "overseer" (pâqîyd) of the Levites in Jerusalem for the service of the house of God, emphasizing a specific administrative role within the religious hierarchy. [[Jeremiah 20:1]] identifies Pashhur, the son of Immer, as the "chief officer" (pâqîyd) in the house of the Lord, indicating a position of significant authority, even involving disciplinary action against Jeremiah.
* **Custodial/Overseer Role:** In [[Jeremiah 52:11]], after Zedekiah's capture, the king of Babylon puts him in prison "under the hand of the officers" (pâqîyd) until the day of his death, suggesting a role akin to prison wardens or those in charge of custody.
* **Metaphorical/Prophetic Use:** A unique and profound usage occurs in [[Isaiah 60:17]], where God promises, "I will make peace your officers" (pâqîyd) and "righteousness your taskmasters." Here, abstract qualities—peace and righteousness—are personified as the governing authorities in a future, idealized state, signifying a divinely ordered and harmonious society.
Across these occurrences, the pâqîyd is consistently depicted as an individual with delegated authority, entrusted with supervision, administration, or enforcement, reflecting a structured and ordered society, whether sacred or secular.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term pâqîyd is intimately connected to its root, פָּקַד (pâqad - `{{H6485}}`), which carries a wide semantic range including "to visit, to attend to, to appoint, to muster, to number, to punish, to command." The noun pâqîyd is essentially "one who has been appointed" or "one who has been visited with a charge" by a higher authority.
Other related terms that illuminate the concept of oversight and authority include:
* פֶּקֻדָּה (pequddah - `{{H6486}}`): This related noun denotes the "visitation," "oversight," "charge," or "office" itself. It is the abstract concept of the duty or appointment that the pâqîyd holds. For example, in [[Numbers 3:36]], the "charge" (pequddah) of the Merarites is specified.
* מְפַקֵּד (m'faqqed - `{{H4669}}`): Also derived from the same root, this form often refers to a "chief officer" or "overseer," particularly in a military context (e.g., [[2 Kings 25:19]]). While similar in meaning, pâqîyd tends to emphasize the *appointed* nature of the role.
* שַׂר (sar - `{{H8269}}`): A more general term for "prince," "chief," or "ruler," often indicating higher rank or broader authority than a pâqîyd, who has a more specific, delegated task.
* נָשִׂיא (nasi - `{{H5387}}`): "Prince" or "leader," typically referring to tribal chiefs or prominent figures.
The concept of a pâqîyd highlights the biblical emphasis on delegated authority, stewardship, and accountability within both human and divine structures.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of pâqîyd is multifaceted, rooted in the broader biblical understanding of divine order, human stewardship, and the nature of leadership:
* **Divine Order and Appointment:** The very existence of pâqîyd underscores the importance of order and structure within human society and religious institutions. This reflects God's own character as a God of order, who establishes systems for governance and administration. While pâqîyd refers to human appointments, the underlying root פָּקַד (pâqad) is frequently used to describe God's "visitation"—whether for judgment or blessing—and His divine "appointment" of individuals for specific purposes (e.g., prophets, kings). This suggests that even human authorities, when legitimate, operate within a divinely ordained framework.
* **Stewardship and Accountability:** The role of a pâqîyd inherently involves stewardship—the responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. Whether overseeing grain, temple funds, or the conduct of others, the pâqîyd is accountable to the authority that appointed them. This resonates deeply with the biblical theme of humanity's stewardship over creation and individuals' accountability to God for their gifts and responsibilities.
* **Leadership and Service:** The pâqîyd is a leader, but one whose authority is derived and whose function is to serve the purposes of the greater entity (king, temple, nation). This concept aligns with the biblical ideal of leadership as service, particularly exemplified in the New Testament by Christ's model of servant leadership.
* **Messianic Hope:** The metaphorical use in [[Isaiah 60:17]], where "peace" and "righteousness" become "officers," points to a profound theological truth. In the eschatological age, under God's ultimate rule, the very principles of divine character will govern, establishing perfect order and justice, transcending the need for imperfect human administration. This vision speaks to a future where God's perfect order is fully realized.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פָּקִיד (pâqîyd) denotes an "appointed superintendent," "overseer," or "officer." Derived from the root פָּקַד (pâqad - `{{H6485}}`), it emphasizes the concept of delegated authority and specific responsibility. Biblical occurrences demonstrate its application across civil, military, and religious spheres, highlighting roles of administration, supervision, and enforcement (e.g., [[Genesis 41:34]], [[Nehemiah 11:9]], [[Jeremiah 20:1]]). Theologically, pâqîyd underscores God's attribute as a God of order, the principle of human stewardship and accountability, and the nature of leadership as a divinely sanctioned function. The prophetic vision of "peace" as an "officer" in [[Isaiah 60:17]] further elevates the term to a symbol of God's ultimate, perfect governance in the future.
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