← H4667 H4669 →

מַפְתֵּחַ

𐤌𐤐𐤕𐤇

maphtêach

H4668 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פתח to open, unlock, loosen

Definition

A device or instrument used to open something that is locked or secured, chiefly referring to a key used to unlock doors, gates, or other closures. In rare instances, it may metaphorically indicate authority to open or grant access. The semantic range centers primarily around the literal object but can extend to symbolic uses representing permission or authority.

Semantic Range

key for a physical lock, opener of a door, instrument for unlocking, symbolic authority to open, emblem of administrative power

Root / Etymology

From the root פתח (p-t-ch), meaning 'to open.' מַפְתֵּחַ is a tool noun, designating something that opens, thus 'an opener,' functioning as a key.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in Isaiah 22:22 and Judges 3:25. In ancient Israelite society, locks and keys were primarily associated with doors to homes, storerooms, or city gates. The key was often a physical object, sometimes of wood or metal, inserted to move a bolt. The symbolic employment of מַפְתֵּחַ as representing authority—such as in Isaiah 22:22, where it signifies the authority to grant or deny access—marks it as a potent symbol in royal or administrative contexts. Standard English translations render it as 'key,' generally capturing the literal sense but sometimes missing metaphorical or administrative nuances. The concept of a key as an emblem of authority appears again in post-biblical literature, whereby 'holding the key' comes to mean holding administrative power or responsibility.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from פָּתַח; an opener, i.e. a key; key.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

פתח (p-t-ḥ) — to open, unlock, loosen

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3315 יֶפֶת to Yepheth
H3316 יִפְתָּח to He-Will-Open
H4669 מִפְתָּח the opening
H5318 נֶפְתּוֹחַ Opening-Spring
H6596 פֹּת their intimate opening

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4668-02 מַפְתֵּ֥חַ mafetecha HNcmsc the key opener of 1
H4668-01 הַ/מַּפְתֵּ֨חַ֙ hamafetecha HTd/Ncmsa the key the opener 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4668-01 Judges 3:25 הַ/מַּפְתֵּ֨חַ֙ hamafetecha HTd/Ncmsa the key the opener
H4668-02 Isaiah 22:22 מַפְתֵּ֥חַ mafetecha HNcmsc the key opener of
← H4667 Hebrew Lexicon H4669 →