פַּךְ
𐤐𐤊
pak
H6378 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A small vessel, typically of clay, stone, or precious material, used for holding and pouring liquids such as oil, perfume, or ointment; in biblical contexts, especially a flask, vial, or bottle designed to pour anointing oil or valued liquids. The term emphasizes the function of the vessel to release or pour its contents rather than simply to store them.
Semantic Range
flask, vial, small jar for pouring oil or perfume, small container; box for ointments or liquids; vessel designed for pouring rather than storage
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root פָּכָה (pakhah), which means 'to pour out' or 'cause to flow.' פַּךְ (pak) is a substantive formed from this root, indicating an object designed for the purpose of pouring.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, פַּךְ occurs rarely but denotes a distinctive vessel associated with valuable liquids, most notably in narratives such as the anointing of a king (e.g., 1 Samuel 10:1, where a פַּךְ of oil is used). Unlike general terms for container (כֶּלִי, vessel) or bottle (נֹאד, skin-bottle), פַּךְ specifically refers to something crafted for pouring, often in ritual or honorific settings. English versions often translate as 'vial,' 'flask,' or 'box,' but the sense of a small jar or flask for precious liquid is more precise. Later Hebrew and rabbinic literature sometimes preserve the distinction between פַּךְ (flask) and other vessels. In post-exilic and later periods, the term is sometimes associated with ritual purity, as with the story of the 'cruse of oil' (פַּךְ שֶׁמֶן) in Hanukkah tradition, though this is outside the biblical period proper.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פָּכָה; a flask (from which a liquid may flow); box, vial.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פכה (p-k-h) — to pour, cause to flow, shed
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6379 | פָּכָה | those pouring out |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6378-02 |
פַּ֥ךְ | pakhe | HNcmsc |
flask | pouring-flask of | 2 |
H6378-01 |
פַךְ | fakhe | HNcmsc |
flask | pouring-flask of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6378-02 |
1 Samuel 10:1 | פַּ֥ךְ | pakhe | HNcmsc |
flask | pouring-flask of |
H6378-02 |
2 Kings 9:1 | פַּ֣ךְ | pakhe | HNcmsc |
flask | pouring-flask of |
H6378-01 |
2 Kings 9:3 | פַךְ | fakhe | HNcmsc |
flask | pouring-flask of |