from the same as פֶּקַע; the wild cucumber (from splitting open to shed its seeds); gourd.
Transliteration:paqquʻâh
Pronunciation:pak-koo-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פַּקֻּעָה (paqquʻâh), Strong's `{{H6498}}`, refers to a "wild cucumber" or "wild gourd." Its etymology is particularly insightful, deriving from a root (related to פֶּקַע) that conveys the idea of "splitting open" or "bursting." This characteristic alludes to the plant's fruit, which, upon ripening, bursts open to release its seeds. Botanically, this word is generally identified with *Citrullus colocynthis* (colocynth), a plant common in the Middle East. Unlike edible cucumbers or gourds, the fruit of the paqquʻâh is intensely bitter and highly poisonous, capable of causing severe gastrointestinal distress and even death if consumed in sufficient quantities. The semantic range is therefore narrow, specifically denoting this dangerous, uncultivated variety of gourd, distinguished by its toxic properties and its explosive dehiscence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פַּקֻּעָה (paqquʻâh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in a pivotal narrative found in the book of 2 Kings. In [[2 Kings 4:39]], during a time of famine, Elisha's servants were preparing a stew for the sons of the prophets. One of them, going out to gather herbs, mistakenly collected these wild gourds and shredded them into the pot, unaware of their poisonous nature. The text states, "He found a wild vine and gathered from it wild gourds, a lapful of them, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, for they did not know them." When the men began to eat, they cried out, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" This single occurrence vividly illustrates the danger inherent in the plant. The context highlights human ignorance and the dire consequences of mistaking the harmful for the harmless. The immediate recognition of the poison ("death in the pot") underscores the severity of the situation, setting the stage for Elisha's miraculous intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for פַּקֻּעָה (paqquʻâh) lies in its etymological root, which signifies "splitting" or "bursting." This root is distinct from terms for edible gourds or cucumbers, emphasizing the unique characteristic of this particular plant's fruit. While not directly related by root, the narrative context of the "death in the pot" brings it into conceptual proximity with themes of sustenance, poison, and miraculous transformation. It stands in stark contrast to beneficial plants and foods that provide life, such as the manna in the wilderness or the produce of the land promised to Israel. The incident also invites comparison with other biblical accounts of divine provision and purification, where God intervenes to make the unwholesome wholesome, or the bitter sweet, such as Moses making the waters of Marah potable ([[Exodus 15:25]]). Another notable biblical gourd, the qîqâyôn (`{{H7070}}`) in the book of Jonah, serves a different symbolic purpose, providing shade and then withering, but it shares the general botanical category of a fast-growing plant. However, the unique identifier for paqquʻâh remains its inherent toxicity and the explosive nature of its fruit.
### Theological Significance
The single biblical appearance of פַּקֻּעָה (paqquʻâh) in [[2 Kings 4:38-41]] carries profound theological weight. The incident of the "death in the pot" serves as a powerful illustration of humanity's vulnerability, ignorance, and the ever-present potential for harm, even in well-intentioned actions. The wild gourds, seemingly innocuous, introduce a deadly element into the community's sustenance, symbolizing how spiritual or moral "poison" can infiltrate and corrupt life. Elisha's miraculous intervention—casting flour into the pot to neutralize the poison—demonstrates God's power to reverse death, purify what is defiled, and transform harmful circumstances into sources of life. This act underscores the prophetic ministry as an instrument of divine grace, capable of bringing life out of death and order out of chaos. The narrative ultimately points to God's sovereignty over creation, His capacity to provide for His people even in dire circumstances, and His redemptive power to make wholesome what is corrupted, offering a foretaste of ultimate spiritual healing and restoration.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פַּקֻּעָה (paqquʻâh), Strong's `{{H6498}}`, designates the "wild cucumber" or "colocynth," a plant known for its bitter, poisonous fruit that bursts open when ripe. Its singular, yet highly significant, appearance in [[2 Kings 4:39]] depicts its accidental inclusion in a stew, leading to the cry, "there is death in the pot!" This incident serves as a potent symbol of human fallibility and the pervasive threat of corruption. The subsequent miraculous purification by the prophet Elisha highlights God's divine power to intervene, transform what is deadly into that which sustains life, and provide for His people even in the face of grave danger. The paqquʻâh thus stands as a vivid illustration of both human vulnerability and divine redemptive grace.
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