פִּי הַחִירֹת
𐤐𐤉 𐤄𐤇𐤉𐤓𐤕
Pi Hachirot
H6367 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pi ha-Chiroth — a specific toponym designating a location near the Sea of Reeds (often translated 'Red Sea'), literally meaning 'mouth of the gorges/openings/caverns.' The phrase reflects a geographic feature likely characterized by a pass, gap, or cleft in the terrain. In biblical narratives, Pi ha-Chiroth is a station where the Israelites encamped immediately prior to crossing the sea during the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:2, 9; Numbers 33:7-8).
Semantic Range
mouth/opening of (a pass, gorge, cleft); a geographic place name by the edge of the sea in Egypt; a station on the exodus route; descriptive term for a landscape feature resembling an opening or gorge
Root / Etymology
פִּי (Pi) is a construct form of פֶּה, meaning 'mouth,' while הַחִירֹת (ha-Chiroth) is a feminine plural with the definite article הַ, derived from חוֹר ('hole, opening, cavern, cleft'). The entire phrase thus means 'mouth of the cavities/gorges.' The place name likely describes a landmark or geographic passage resembling an opening or gap. The composite form indicates a descriptive place name rather than a native Egyptian toponym. Root: פֶּה from פ-ה-ה; חוֹר from ח-ו-ר.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, Pi ha-Chiroth appears solely in the context of the exodus narrative as a named station between other identifiable locations, marking a critical juncture before the sea crossing. The form with the definite article (הַ) and plural ending suggests a Hebrew descriptive toponym rather than a precise Egyptian loanword, though Egyptological connections have been explored. Modern scholarship debates its exact location, though it is understood as being on or near the edge of the northwestern Sinai close to the water. The full phrase is unique to the exodus tradition. Some English translations and commentaries use 'Pi-hahiroth,' reflecting older transliteration conventions. The absence of 'Pi' in some passages (e.g., Numbers 33:8, where חִירֹת appears alone) may be due to abbreviation in the retelling. The toponym should not be conflated with later place names or read as an ethnic/religious designation. The meaning is strictly topographical and contextualized within the journey narrative.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
lemma פִּי הַחִרֹת yod, corrected to פִּי הַחִירֹת; xlit Pi corrected to Pîy; from פֶּה and the feminine plural of a noun (from the same root as חוֹר), with the article interpolated; mouth of the gorges; Pi-ha-Chiroth, a place in Egypt; Pi-hahiroth. (In Numbers 14:19 without Pi-.)
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
פ-ה-ה; ח-ו-ר (Pi Hachirot) — to open, to be a mouth; to bore, pierce, make a hole or opening
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6367-01 |
הַחִירֹ֔ת | hachirot | HNp |
hahiroth | the gorges | Pi Hachirot | 4 |
H6367-02 |
פִּ֣י | pi | HNp |
Pi | mouth of | Pi Hachirot | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6367-02 |
Exodus 14:2 | פִּ֣י | pi | HNp |
Pi | mouth of | Pi Hachirot |
H6367-01 |
Exodus 14:2 | הַחִירֹ֔ת | hachirot | HNp |
hahiroth | the gorges | Pi Hachirot |
H6367-02 |
Exodus 14:9 | פִּי֙ | pi | HNp |
Pi | mouth of | Pi Hachirot |
H6367-01 |
Exodus 14:9 | הַֽחִירֹ֔ת | hachirot | HNp |
hahiroth | the gorges | Pi Hachirot |
H6367-02 |
Numbers 33:7 | פִּ֣י | pi | HNp |
mouth of | mouth of | Pi Hachirot |
H6367-01 |
Numbers 33:7 | הַחִירֹ֔ת | hachirot | HNp |
Hahiroth | the gorges | Pi Hachirot |
H6367-01 |
Numbers 33:8 | הַֽ/חִירֹ֔ת | hachirot | HTd/Np |
Pi-hahiroth | the gorges | the Pi Hachirot |