or פֹּתָה; (Ezekiel 13:19), from an unused root meaning to open; a hole, i.e. hinge or the female pudenda; hinge, secret participle
Transliteration:pôth
Pronunciation:pohth
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פֹּת (pôth), Strong's `{{H6596}}`, is derived from an unutilized root signifying "to open." This fundamental meaning informs its primary semantic range, which encompasses "a hole" and, by extension, "a hinge." A hinge is, by nature, an opening and closing mechanism, thus directly reflecting the root's sense. The word also carries a more private, euphemistic meaning, referring to "the female pudenda," an association likewise rooted in the concept of an "opening." Therefore, פֹּת (pôth) possesses a dual semantic profile: a concrete architectural component and a delicate anatomical reference, both linked by the core idea of an aperture.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The primary and most direct biblical occurrences of פֹּת (pôth) are found in the context of the Solomonic Temple's construction, where it is translated as "hinges."
In [[1 Kings 7:50]], the text describes the elaborate furnishings of the Temple, including "the hinges of gold for the doors of the innermost house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, that is, of the temple." Similarly, [[2 Chronicles 4:22]] mentions "the hinges of gold for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house of the temple." In both instances, פֹּת (pôth) (in its plural form, פֹּתוֹת) denotes the crucial mechanisms that allowed the massive and ornate doors of the sacred edifice to open and close, facilitating access to and from the holy spaces. The use of gold for these hinges underscores their significance and the preciousness of the Temple's components.
The Strong's definition also notes an alternative form, פֹּתָה, and associates it with [[Ezekiel 13:19]]. However, a detailed examination of the Hebrew text of [[Ezekiel 13:19]] typically reveals the word פִּתֵּי (pittê), which derives from `{{H6601}}` (pat), meaning "pieces" or "morsels" (e.g., "pieces of bread"). The direct presence of פֹּתָה or `{{H6596}}` in this verse is not readily apparent in standard Masoretic texts, suggesting that the Strong's reference might pertain to a less common textual tradition or an interpretive nuance.
The euphemistic meaning, "female pudenda," while part of the word's recognized semantic range based on its root, does not appear as a direct translation of פֹּת (pôth) within the canonical Hebrew Bible. Its inclusion in the definition points to the full lexical potential of the word, even if not explicitly realized in biblical narrative.
### Related Words & Concepts
The core meaning of "opening" links פֹּת (pôth) to a broader lexical field. While its root is unused, the concept resonates with other Hebrew terms related to apertures, entrances, and mechanisms of access. Words like שַׁעַר (sha'ar, `{{H8179}}`, "gate") or דֶּלֶת (delet, `{{H1817}}`, "door") are conceptually related, as hinges are integral to their function. The idea of a "hole" or "opening" also connects it to terms like חֹר (chor, `{{H2356}}`, "hole" or "opening"), as seen in [[Song of Solomon 5:4]]. The precise function of a hinge also relates it to concepts of movement, access, and security within architectural contexts. The anatomical sense, though not textually present, aligns with the broader linguistic phenomenon of euphemism in ancient Hebrew, where sensitive topics are often referred to indirectly.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פֹּת (pôth) primarily emerges from its usage as "hinges" in the Temple. The Temple was the dwelling place of God's presence among His people, and its various components, even seemingly mundane ones like hinges, were imbued with sacred meaning.
1. **Access to the Divine:** The hinges facilitated the opening and closing of the Temple doors, including those leading to the Most Holy Place. This function symbolizes the regulated, sacred access to God's presence. While God is omnipresent, the Temple represented a unique, consecrated space for encounter, and the hinges were part of the physical means by which this access was granted or restricted according to divine protocol.
2. **Order and Security:** Hinges ensure the proper functioning and security of doors. In the context of the Temple, this speaks to the divine order and sanctity that governed the sacred space. The preciousness of the gold hinges also reflects the immense value placed on the divine presence and the meticulous care taken in preparing His dwelling.
3. **Divine Sovereignty:** The ability to open and close doors (symbolically, "the keys") is often associated with divine authority (e.g., [[Revelation 3:7]]). While פֹּת (pôth) refers to the physical mechanism, its presence on the doors of the sacred sanctuary subtly points to God's ultimate control over access to His presence and blessings.
The anatomical meaning, while not directly employed in theological discourse within the biblical text for this specific word, implicitly acknowledges the human body as a creation of God, highlighting the descriptive nature of the Hebrew language even for intimate aspects of human existence, treated with a certain reverence through euphemism rather than explicit vulgarity.
### Summary
פֹּת (pôth), Strong's `{{H6596}}`, is a Hebrew noun derived from an unused root meaning "to open." Its primary literal meaning is "hinge," prominently featured in the descriptions of the golden hinges of the Solomonic Temple in [[1 Kings 7:50]] and [[2 Chronicles 4:22]]. These occurrences underscore the word's role in describing the mechanisms of access to sacred space, symbolizing the order, security, and regulated approach to God's presence. While the Strong's definition also notes an alternative form, פֹּתָה, in relation to [[Ezekiel 13:19]], this specific textual link is challenging to confirm in standard Masoretic texts. Additionally, the word carries a euphemistic anatomical meaning ("female pudenda") rooted in its core sense of "opening," though this sense is not directly attested in the biblical text for this specific term. The theological significance of פֹּת (pôth) is thus primarily tied to its function within the Temple, representing the sacred boundaries and the divinely ordained means of approaching the Holy One.
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