patrial from פַּתְרוֹס; a Pathrusite, or inhabitant of Pathros; Pathrusim.
Transliteration:Pathruçîy
Pronunciation:path-roo-see'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פַּתְרֻסִי (Pathruçîy), Strong's number `{{H6625}}`, is a gentilic noun derived from the geographical name פַּתְרוֹס (Pathros), `{{H6624}}`. As a patrial designation, its core meaning is "an inhabitant of Pathros" or "a Pathrusite." Pathros itself refers to Upper Egypt, specifically the region south of Memphis. Therefore, פַּתְרֻסִי denotes a person or people group originating from this southern part of Egypt. Its semantic range is narrow, exclusively identifying an ethnic or national group tied to a specific geographical locale within ancient Egypt.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פַּתְרֻסִי (Pathruçîy) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the comprehensive genealogical record known as the Table of Nations:
* [[Genesis 10:14]]: "and the Pathrusim, and the Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines), and the Caphtorim."
In this sole occurrence, the "Pathrusim" are listed as one of the descendants of Mizraim (Egypt), who was a son of Ham. The context is a systematic cataloging of the early nations and peoples that emerged from Noah's sons after the Great Flood. The inclusion of the Pathrusim among the progeny of Mizraim firmly places them within the Egyptian lineage, affirming their identity as an ancient people group associated with the land of Egypt, specifically its southern reaches. This verse serves as a crucial ethnographic and historical marker within the biblical narrative, illustrating the diversification and geographical spread of humanity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is פַּתְרוֹס (Pathros), `{{H6624}}`, which designates the region of Upper Egypt from which the Pathrusim originated. While פַּתְרֻסִי (Pathruçîy) refers to the *people*, פַּתְרוֹס (Pathros) refers to the *place*. Pathros is mentioned in several prophetic books (e.g., [[Isaiah 11:11]], [[Jeremiah 44:1]], [[Ezekiel 29:14]], [[Ezekiel 30:14]]), often in contexts related to the judgment or restoration of Egypt.
Other related terms in the Table of Nations include the various descendants of Mizraim listed alongside the Pathrusim: Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim. These terms collectively paint a picture of the diverse peoples stemming from the Egyptian line. The broader conceptual framework is that of the Table of Nations (Genesis 10), which provides a foundational biblical understanding of human ethnography and the common ancestry of all peoples.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פַּתְרֻסִי (Pathruçîy) primarily stems from its inclusion in the Table of Nations. This list is not merely an ancient historical record but a theological statement about God's sovereign ordering of humanity.
1. **Universal Scope of Creation and Providence:** The mention of the Pathrusim, alongside numerous other peoples, underscores the biblical conviction that all nations and ethnic groups trace their origin back to a common ancestor (Noah), and ultimately, to God's creative act. This highlights God's universal dominion and providential care over all humanity, not just the chosen line of Abraham.
2. **Biblical Anthropology:** The Table of Nations, by detailing the diversification of peoples, provides a framework for understanding human ethnography from a biblical perspective. The Pathrusim, as a distinct group, contribute to this comprehensive picture of post-Flood human settlement and development.
3. **Context for Prophecy:** While פַּתְרֻסִי (Pathruçîy) itself is not a direct subject of prophecy, its geographical root, Pathros, is. The existence of the Pathrusim as a known people group grounds the prophetic pronouncements concerning Egypt in a tangible reality. The Bible's consistent reference to specific peoples and places, even those seemingly peripheral, reinforces the historical and geographical rootedness of God's interaction with the world.
4. **Foundation for Redemption:** The ultimate theological implication of a universal human lineage is the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. Though the covenant was initially with Israel, the inclusion of all nations in the early biblical narrative foreshadows the eventual ingathering of peoples from every tribe, tongue, and nation into God's kingdom (e.g., [[Revelation 7:9]]).
### Summary
פַּתְrֻסִי (Pathruçîy), `{{H6625}}`, is a Hebrew gentilic noun meaning "a Pathrusite" or "an inhabitant of Pathros," referring to a people group from Upper Egypt. Its singular occurrence in [[Genesis 10:14]] places the Pathrusim within the Table of Nations as descendants of Mizraim (Egypt). This brief mention is profoundly significant: it contributes to the biblical understanding of a common human origin, illustrates the early diversification and geographical spread of peoples, and grounds the historical and theological claims of Scripture in a tangible ancient world. The Pathrusim, though a minor reference, serve as a testament to God's universal sovereignty over all nations and contribute to the grand narrative of His redemptive plan for humanity.
TRV