פַּחַת מוֹאָב
𐤐𐤇𐤕 𐤌𐤅𐤀𐤁
Pachat Moav
H6355 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper name denoting an Israelite family group or clan, most likely designating 'governor (or official) of Moab' or 'district of Moab'. In biblical genealogical lists, Pachath Moab refers to a leader or family originating from or associated with the region of Moab, rather than meaning 'pit of Moab.' The term points to a socio-political title or an identification of geographic origin within the returned exiles, rather than describing an individual's personal name.
Semantic Range
provincial governor of Moab, official over Moabite district, administrative district connected to Moab, clan or family line designated by historical/geographic origin, socio-administrative designation
Root / Etymology
פַּחַת (pachat) comes from a root meaning 'governor' or 'provincial official,' and מוֹאָב (Moab) refers to the region or people of Moab east of the Dead Sea. The compound thus derives from the administrative term plus the ethnicity/geography, resulting in a title like 'governor of Moab' or 'district of Moab.' There is no indication that פַּחַת here means 'pit.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Ezra and Nehemiah, Pachath Moab appears among the lists of Israelites (particularly families or clans) returning from exile in Babylonia to the province of Yehud (Judah). This family or clan likely traces its origin to Israelite administrators established in, or responsible for, the Moabite region either during the monarchic period or as a remnant Israelite enclave. The term 'Pachath Moab' should not be understood as a personal name, but rather as a socio-administrative title or a clan arising from a particular governmental or migration context. English translations often render this as 'Pahath-moab,' obscuring the administrative/geographical meaning of the term. In post-exilic lists, such demonyms or titles regularly appear as identifying markers tying groups to the regions or offices held prior to the exile.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פַּחַת and מוֹאָב; pit of Moab; Pachath-Moab, an Israelite; Pahathmoab.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
פחה, מואב (Pachat Moav) — to govern, to serve as provincial official; Moab (region or people)
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6355-02 |
מוֹאָ֛ב | moav | HNp |
Moab | Moab | Pachat Moav | 6 |
H6355-03 |
פַּחַ֣ת | pachat | HNp |
Pahath | provincial governor of | Pachat Moav | 4 |
H6355-01 |
פַחַ֥ת | fachat | HNp |
Pahath | governor of Moab | Pachat Moav | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6355-01 |
Ezra 2:6 | פַחַ֥ת | fachat | HNp |
Pahath | governor of Moab | Pachat Moav |
H6355-02 |
Ezra 2:6 | מוֹאָ֛ב | moav | HNp |
Moab | Moab | Pachat Moav |
H6355-03 |
Ezra 8:4 | פַּחַ֣ת | pachat | HNp |
Pahath | provincial governor of | Pachat Moav |
H6355-02 |
Ezra 8:4 | מוֹאָ֔ב | moav | HNp |
Moab | Moab | Pachat Moav |
H6355-03 |
Ezra 10:30 | פַּחַ֥ת | pachat | HNp |
Pahath | provincial governor of | Pachat Moav |
H6355-02 |
Ezra 10:30 | מוֹאָ֖ב | moav | HNp |
Moab | Moab | Pachat Moav |
H6355-03 |
Nehemiah 3:11 | פַּחַ֣ת | pachat | HNp |
Pahath | provincial governor of | Pachat Moav |
H6355-02 |
Nehemiah 3:11 | מוֹאָ֑ב | moav | HNp |
Moab | Moab | Pachat Moav |
H6355-01 |
Nehemiah 7:11 | פַחַ֥ת | fachat | HNp |
Pahath | governor of Moab | Pachat Moav |
H6355-02 |
Nehemiah 7:11 | מוֹאָ֛ב | moav | HNp |
Moab | Moab | Pachat Moav |
H6355-03 |
Nehemiah 10:15 | פַּחַ֣ת | pachat | HNp |
Pahath | provincial governor of | Pachat Moav |
H6355-02 |
Nehemiah 10:15 | מוֹאָ֔ב | moav | HNp |
Moab | Moab | Pachat Moav |