from an unused root meaning to open (the eyes); (compare פִּתְאוֹם); a wink, i.e. moment(used only (with or without preposition) adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly; at an instant, suddenly, [idiom] very.
Transliteration:pethaʻ
Pronunciation:peh'-thah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פֶּתַע (pethaʻ), Strong's number `{{H6621}}`, derives from an unused root signifying "to open (the eyes)." This etymological connection evokes the image of a rapid opening and closing, like a "wink," thereby conveying the sense of a "moment" or an "instant." Consequently, *pethaʻ* is primarily employed adverbially in the Hebrew Bible, conveying the notions of "quickly," "unexpectedly," "at an instant," or "suddenly." It encapsulates an event's immediacy and surprising nature, often implying a lack of prior warning or preparation. It shares a close semantic range with פִּתְאוֹם (pit'om), `{{H6597}}`, which also denotes "suddenly" and is sometimes used in conjunction with *pethaʻ* to intensify the emphasis on abruptness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *pethaʻ* appears several times in the Hebrew Scriptures, consistently carrying its core meaning of suddenness or unexpectedness, often in contexts of divine action or unforeseen events:
* **Numbers 6:9**: "And if any man die by him *suddenly* and he defile the head of his consecration, then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it." Here, *pethaʻ* describes an accidental, unforeseen death that defiles a Nazirite, highlighting the unexpected nature of the event.
* **Job 21:13**: "They spend their days in prosperity, and *in a moment* they go down to Sheol." This verse uses *pethaʻ* to emphasize the swift and surprising end of the wicked, underscoring the brevity and sudden termination of their seemingly secure lives.
* **Isaiah 29:5**: "But the multitude of your foes shall be like fine dust, and the multitude of the ruthless like passing chaff. And *in an instant*, *suddenly*, it shall happen." In this prophetic passage, *pethaʻ* is paired with `{{H6597}}` (pit'om) to powerfully convey the sudden and decisive nature of God's judgment against the Assyrian army, an intervention that will occur with overwhelming speed and without warning.
* **Isaiah 30:13**: "Therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach ready to fall, bulging out in a high wall, whose collapse comes *suddenly*, in an instant." Here, *pethaʻ* illustrates the swift and inevitable collapse of a nation (Judah) due to its iniquity, likening it to a structural failure that occurs without protracted warning. The implication is that the consequences of sin will manifest with shocking immediacy.
* **Jeremiah 4:20**: "Disaster follows disaster; the whole land is laid waste. *Suddenly* my tents are destroyed, my curtains in a moment." This lament uses *pethaʻ* to describe the sudden and devastating destruction of Judah, emphasizing the swiftness and totality of the calamity that befell the land.
* **Jeremiah 15:8**: "I have brought against them, against the mother of young men, a destroyer at noonday; I have made anguish and terror fall upon her *suddenly*." *Pethaʻ* here highlights the sudden and terrifying judgment brought upon Jerusalem, indicating that the divine punishment would come swiftly and unexpectedly, intensifying the horror.
Across these occurrences, *pethaʻ* consistently points to events that are abrupt, unexpected, and often irreversible, whether it be an accidental death, the end of a life, or, most frequently, the execution of divine judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct lexical parallel to *pethaʻ* is פִּתְאוֹם (pit'om), `{{H6597}}`, which also means "suddenly" and is often found in similar contexts, sometimes even in tandem with *pethaʻ* as seen in [[Isaiah 29:5]]. Both words convey a sense of immediacy and surprise, highlighting events that occur without prior notice. Other related concepts include:
* **Speed/Quickness**: While *pethaʻ* emphasizes suddenness and unexpectedness, it inherently implies rapid execution. Other Hebrew words like מַהֵר (maher), `{{H4106}}`, or אָחַשׁ (achash), `{{H264}}`, convey general speed but lack the specific nuance of surprise inherent in *pethaʻ*.
* **Unforeseen Events**: The word relates to the concept of events that are not anticipated by human planning or foresight, often pointing to divine intervention.
* **Divine Timing**: *Pethaʻ* underscores that God's actions often unfold according to His own inscrutable timing, breaking into human history with startling immediacy rather than following predictable patterns.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of *pethaʻ* is profound, touching upon divine sovereignty, human vulnerability, and the nature of judgment.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention**: The frequent use of *pethaʻ* in connection with God's actions, particularly His judgments, underscores His absolute sovereignty. God's interventions are often described as sudden and unexpected from a human perspective, demonstrating that His plans are not bound by human expectations or timelines. This highlights His power to act decisively and without warning, demonstrating His control over history and human destiny ([[Isaiah 29:5]], [[Jeremiah 15:8]]).
* **Human Vulnerability and the Brevity of Life**: The use of *pethaʻ* in contexts like [[Numbers 6:9]] (sudden death) and [[Job 21:13]] (sudden descent into Sheol) serves as a stark reminder of human frailty and the unpredictable nature of life. It emphasizes the brevity of existence and the suddenness with which life's circumstances can change, calling for constant vigilance and faithfulness.
* **The Nature of Divine Justice**: When *pethaʻ* describes judgment, it portrays divine justice as swift, decisive, and inescapable. The suddenness leaves no room for evasion or prolonged repentance, emphasizing the gravity of sin and the inevitability of its consequences ([[Isaiah 30:13]], [[Jeremiah 4:20]]). It suggests that while God is patient, His judgment, when it comes, will be executed with overwhelming speed.
* **Call to Readiness**: Implicit in the concept of "suddenly" is a call for readiness. If events, particularly those initiated by God, can occur without warning, then humanity is exhorted to live in a state of constant preparedness, whether for judgment or for the fulfillment of divine promises.
### Summary
פֶּתַע (pethaʻ), `{{H6621}}`, is a powerful Hebrew adverb meaning "suddenly," "unexpectedly," or "in an instant." Derived from a root suggesting a rapid opening or "wink," it conveys immediate and surprising action. This word is frequently employed in the Hebrew Bible to describe swift, often devastating, divine judgments or unforeseen calamitous events, such as sudden death or national collapse. It often appears in conjunction with its close semantic kin, פִּתְאוֹם (pit'om), `{{H6597}}`, to intensify the sense of abruptness. Theologically, *pethaʻ* profoundly underscores God's sovereign and often surprising intervention in human history, highlighting the absolute nature of His control. It also serves as a potent reminder of human vulnerability, the brevity of life, and the swift, decisive character of divine justice, thereby implicitly calling for attentiveness and spiritual readiness in the face of an unpredictable future guided by God's hand.
TRV