### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **pôth**, represented by `{{H6596}}`, is defined as a hole, used for a **hinge** or to refer to the female pudenda, or **secret parts**. Derived from a root meaning to open, this term appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses**, showcasing its specific and distinct applications in scripture.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The two uses of `{{H6596}}` appear in sharply contrasting contexts. In its architectural sense, it describes a functional component of the temple. The construction of the inner house, the most holy place, included "the **hinges** of gold" for the doors [[1 Kings 7:50]]. In its anatomical sense, the word is used in a prophecy of judgment against the daughters of Zion, where the Lord "will discover their **secret parts**" [[Isaiah 3:17]], signifying humiliation and exposure.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context in which `{{H6596}}` is used:
* `{{H1004}}` **bayith** (a house): This word provides the setting for the use of `{{H6596}}` as hinges. The hinges were specifically for the doors of the inner **house** [[1 Kings 7:50]], a term that can also refer to God's dwelling place in a broader sense [[Malachi 3:10]].
* `{{H1817}}` **deleth** (door): This term is functionally connected to `{{H6596}}`, as the hinges were made for the **doors** of the temple [[1 Kings 7:50]]. A **door** itself can be a literal gateway or a metaphorical one, as in the prayer to "keep the **door** of my lips" [[Psalms 141:3]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H6596}}` is found in its dual application, representing both sacred construction and divine judgment.
* **Sanctity of Worship:** The use of "hinges of gold" for the doors leading to the most holy place underscores the immense value and holiness attributed to every part of the temple's construction and function [[1 Kings 7:50]].
* **Consequence of Pride:** The term's use for "secret parts" in Isaiah's prophecy serves as a powerful metaphor for shame and vulnerability. It illustrates that what is pridefully displayed will lead to the forced exposure of what should be hidden [[Isaiah 3:17]].
* **Concept of Openings:** Rooted in the idea "to open," `{{H6596}}` applies to both a physical mechanism that allows opening (a hinge) and a part of the body that is exposed, linking the architectural and the anatomical through a shared concept.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6596}}` is a rare but potent word whose meaning shifts dramatically with its context. It moves from a description of a small, golden component essential to the function of God's holy temple to a stark symbol of judgment and humiliation. Through its two appearances, **pôth** demonstrates how a single Hebrew term can convey concepts of both sacred detail and profound consequence.
TRV