Word Study for H6589 (פָּשַׂק)

pâsaq /paw-sak'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root

Meaningto dispart (the feet or lips), i.e. become licentious

KJV usageopen (wide).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pâsaq — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word pâsaq, represented by H6589, is a primitive root meaning to dispart, become licentious, or open (wide). It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses, yet it carries significant weight in its contexts, describing a dangerous or immoral openness.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical appearances, H6589 illustrates the consequences of a lack of restraint. In Proverbs, it is used to warn against reckless speech, stating that one who openeth wide his lips invites destruction Proverbs 13:3. In Ezekiel, the word takes on a more figurative and severe meaning. It describes the spiritual unfaithfulness of Jerusalem, which has opened her feet to every passerby, multiplying her whoredoms and making her beauty abhorrent Ezekiel 16:25.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H6589 is used:

H8193 sâphâh (lip): This word, meaning lip or speech, is what is opened wide in Proverbs 13:3, directly linking the action of H6589 to unguarded and destructive talk.
H7272 regel (foot): In Ezekiel 16:25, this is the word for the foot that is opened. The definition notes its euphemistic use for the pudenda, confirming the licentious and adulterous symbolism.
H8457 taznûwth (whoredoms): This word defines the outcome of the action in Ezekiel. It means harlotry and is used figuratively for idolatry, framing Israel's sin as spiritual fornication.
H4288 mᵉchittâh (destruction): This is the direct consequence of the action in Proverbs 13:3. It is defined as destruction, ruin, or terror, emphasizing the grave danger of unrestrained speech.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6589 is centered on the theme of dangerous and sinful indiscipline.

Peril of Unrestrained Speech: The use in Proverbs establishes a clear principle that a lack of control over one's words—opening the lips wide—leads directly to ruin Proverbs 13:3. This highlights the moral and spiritual importance of disciplined speech.
Symbol of Spiritual Adultery: In Ezekiel, the "opening" of the feet is a powerful metaphor for covenant unfaithfulness. It portrays Israel's idolatry not as a simple mistake, but as a licentious act of spiritual harlotry, actively offering itself to other gods Ezekiel 16:25.
Warning Against Immoral Openness: In both instances, the act of "opening wide" is cast in a negative light. It signifies a departure from a state of being guarded, protected, or faithful, resulting in either personal destruction or corporate shame and divine judgment.

Summary

In summary, H6589 serves as a potent and specific term for a destructive and licentious "opening." Though used only twice, it powerfully illustrates the spiritual dangers of indiscipline, whether through the foolishness of unguarded lips or the profound unfaithfulness of spiritual adultery. It acts as a stark warning that what is foolishly opened wide—be it one's mouth or one's fidelity—leads to ruin.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

תְּפַשְּׂקִי
פֹּשֵׂק

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Proverbs and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

Proverbs

Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.