from קֶרֶן and פּוּךְ; horn of cosmetic; Keren-hap-Puk, one of Job's daughters; Keren-happuch.
Transliteration:qeren hap-pûwk
Pronunciation:keh'-ren hap-pook'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew phrase קֶרֶן הַפּוּךְ (qeren hap-pûwk, `{{H7163}}`) is a composite proper noun, serving as the name of one of Job's daughters. Its etymology provides its core meaning. קֶרֶן (qeren, `{{H7161}}`) literally means "horn," and metaphorically can denote power, strength, dignity, or a vessel. פּוּךְ (pûwk, `{{H6320}}`) refers to antimony, a black mineral powder used as a cosmetic, particularly for eye makeup (kohl). Thus, the name Keren-happuch translates literally to "Horn of Cosmetic," or perhaps "Horn of Antimony." This likely refers to a container for cosmetics, specifically a horn-shaped vessel used to hold or apply eye-paint. The name inherently suggests beauty, adornment, and perhaps a radiant appearance. As a proper noun, its semantic range is primarily limited to its specific referent, Job's daughter, but its constituent parts imbue it with symbolic significance related to feminine beauty and perhaps the restoration of splendor.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Keren-happuch appears only once in the biblical text, in [[Job 42:14]]. This verse is part of the concluding narrative of the Book of Job, detailing the Lord's restoration of Job after his immense suffering. After enduring the loss of his children, wealth, and health, Job is blessed with a new family, and his latter end is more prosperous than his beginning. The text states: "And he had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch." The naming of these three daughters is particularly significant. The passage explicitly notes their extraordinary beauty: "In all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters" [[Job 42:15]]. This emphasis on their beauty, underscored by their names (Jemimah meaning "dove," Keziah possibly "cassia" or "cinnamon," and Keren-happuch "horn of cosmetic"), highlights the completeness and lavishness of God's restoration. Furthermore, the unprecedented act of Job granting his daughters an inheritance "among their brothers" [[Job 42:15]] underscores their value and the unique favor bestowed upon Job's restored household. Keren-happuch, by her very name, embodies this renewed beauty and divine blessing.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of Keren-happuch are קֶרֶן (qeren, `{{H7161}}`) and פּוּךְ (pûwk, `{{H6320}}`).
* קֶרֶן (qeren, `{{H7161}}`): Beyond its literal meaning of "horn" (e.g., of an animal, [[Genesis 22:13]]), qeren is frequently used metaphorically to signify power, strength, or dignity (e.g., "horn of salvation," [[Psalm 18:2]]). It can also refer to a musical instrument (a trumpet, [[Joshua 6:5]]) or a projection (e.g., altar horns, [[Exodus 27:2]]). In the context of Keren-happuch, it likely alludes to a beautiful container for cosmetics or, by extension, the outward manifestation of beauty.
* פּוּךְ (pûwk, `{{H6320}}`): This term specifically denotes antimony or kohl, a black powder used for eye makeup. Its use is mentioned in other biblical contexts, often associated with adornment, sometimes with a negative connotation when linked to vanity or deception (e.g., Jezebel "painted her eyes," [[2 Kings 9:30]]; Jerusalem's adornments in [[Ezekiel 23:40]]). However, in Job's context, it signifies natural, God-given beauty and adornment as part of a divine blessing.
Related concepts include:
* **Beauty (יְפִי, yophi, `{{H3308}}`):** The explicit statement in [[Job 42:15]] about the unparalleled beauty of Job's daughters connects Keren-happuch directly to this concept.
* **Restoration (שׁוּב, shuv, `{{H7725}}`):** The entire narrative arc of Job 42 is about divine restoration, and the naming of these daughters with beautiful names is a key indicator of this complete renewal.
* **Divine Blessing (בָּרַךְ, barak, `{{H1288}}`):** The prosperity and beauty bestowed upon Job's family are direct manifestations of God's blessing.
* **Inheritance (נַחֲלָה, nachalah, `{{H5159}}`):** The unique provision of an inheritance for Job's daughters among their brothers highlights their esteemed status and value within the restored family, an unusual practice for the time.
### Theological Significance
The naming of Keren-happuch carries profound theological significance within the narrative of Job.
1. **Symbol of Complete Restoration:** Keren-happuch, along with her sisters, represents the fullness and lavishness of God's restoration of Job. After the utter desolation and disfigurement Job experienced, the birth of daughters renowned for their beauty, and named to reflect this beauty, signifies a return to not just prosperity, but also to dignity, honor, and aesthetic richness. It illustrates that God's restoration is not merely functional but often exceeds the original state in glory and blessing.
2. **Divine Affirmation of Beauty:** In a book that grapples with suffering and justice, the emphasis on the daughters' beauty, symbolized by Keren-happuch's name, serves as a theological statement. It suggests that beauty, when given by God, is a gift and a sign of His favor, not inherently a source of vanity or temptation. It contrasts with the brokenness and ugliness associated with Job's suffering, showcasing God's power to create and restore beauty.
3. **Unique Valuing of Daughters:** The fact that Job's daughters, including Keren-happuch, were given an inheritance alongside their brothers is a remarkable detail in a patriarchal society. This unprecedented act, likely divinely inspired or at least sanctioned, elevates the status of these women and underscores their intrinsic worth. It hints at a divine valuing of all individuals, irrespective of gender, and perhaps foreshadows a broader understanding of God's inclusive grace.
4. **Hope and New Beginnings:** Keren-happuch's name, embodying radiant beauty, stands as a testament to hope and new beginnings after profound loss. It speaks to God's capacity to transform ashes into beauty, sorrow into joy, and despair into flourishing life.
### Summary
Keren-happuch (קֶרֶן הַפּוּךְ, `{{H7163}}`), meaning "Horn of Cosmetic," is the name of one of Job's three beautiful daughters born after his period of intense suffering. Appearing solely in [[Job 42:14]], her name, along with those of her sisters Jemimah and Keziah, explicitly highlights their extraordinary beauty, a key indicator of God's lavish and complete restoration of Job's fortunes. The name itself, derived from קֶרֶן (horn/vessel) and פּוּךְ (antimony/cosmetic), evokes images of adornment and radiant appearance. Theologically, Keren-happuch symbolizes the fullness of divine blessing and the transformation of desolation into splendor. Her existence, coupled with the unique provision of an inheritance among her brothers, underscores God's valuing of all individuals and His power to bring forth beauty and dignity even after the most profound trials, serving as a powerful testament to hope and divine recompense.
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