פָּעָה
𐤐𐤏𐤄
pâʻâh
H6463 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To utter a loud, high-pitched vocalization, especially to scream or cry out sharply, typically in distress, fear, or pain. The primary lexical sense involves an intense vocal expression of emotion, not a mere call or shout. In biblical contexts, it most often denotes a cry of anguish, desperation, or alarm, especially by humans or, figuratively, by animals in distress.
Semantic Range
to scream; to cry out (especially in fear or distress); to wail; to emit a piercing vocal sound
Root / Etymology
Root: פעה. The root conveys the core sense of high-pitched, piercing, or shrill vocal sound. The verb פָּעָה (pâʻâh) is a direct formation from this root, with no clear evidence of secondary or derived forms in Hebrew. Cognate roots or similar onomatopoeic formations are attested in other Semitic languages with senses involving bleating or shrill vocalization, though the Hebrew usage generally excludes animal bleating as a primary sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פָּעָה occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible and is usually limited to depictions of intense human emotional outcry, such as in moments of terror or grievous distress. Unlike the more general roots צעק (tsa'aq, 'to cry out') or זעק (za'aq, 'to call for help'), פָּעָה emphasizes the urgent, panic-stricken quality of the cry. In post-biblical Hebrew, its usage is marginal or obsolete. English translations sometimes render it as 'cry' or 'scream,' but these may understate the depth of distress implied. The term is distinct from onomatopoeic words used for animal sounds, such as געה (ga'ah, 'to low [as an ox]') or געש (ga'ash, 'to roar [as waters or noise]'), even though there is some overlap in ancient onomatopoeic formation. There is no evidence that פָּעָה referred in biblical texts to specific ritual or religious utterances. The word's rarity limits observation of semantic development across periods; it remains consistent in the few attestations we have.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to scream; cry.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פעה (p-ʿ-h) — to scream, to emit a shrill cry, to cry out in distress
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6464 | פָּעוּ | Pai |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6463-01 |
אֶפְעֶ֔ה | efeeh | HVqi1cs |
I will groan | piercing screecher | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6463-01 |
Isaiah 42:14 | אֶפְעֶ֔ה | efeeh | HVqi1cs |
I will groan | piercing screecher |