פָּעַם
𐤐𐤏𐤌
pâʻam
H6470 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To strike or beat in a rhythmic or repeated manner; by extension, to cause to be agitated, disturbed, or moved emotionally or spiritually. The verb can indicate physical tapping or striking, as well as metaphorical disturbance—particularly in reference to the heart or spirit being troubled or stirred. It also occurs in some contexts to denote the regular movement or trembling (of the heart, emotion, or fear).
Semantic Range
to beat (physically), to strike rhythmically, to tap, to impel, to agitate, to disturb, to stir (emotionally or spiritually), to trouble, to cause to tremble or move
Root / Etymology
The verb פָּעַם derives from the root פעמ, which expresses actions involving striking or forceful rhythmic movements. The root meaning is "to beat" or "to strike repeatedly." The semantic expansion includes non-physical "striking"—being emotionally impacted or disturbed.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פָּעַם occurs relatively infrequently in biblical Hebrew. In narrative passages (e.g. Genesis 41:8; Daniel 2:1, 3), it often describes the emotional or psychological state of being "troubled" or agitated, usually following a dream or distressing event—typically affecting the heart or spirit. In earlier contexts the physical sense of "striking" or "beating" is more apparent (see Judges 13:25, referring to the divine stirring of Samson). In poetic passages, it can express trembling or disturbance in a heightened, metaphorical sense. Standard English translations usually render it as "troubled," "stirred," "moved," or "beat," but may obscure the underlying physical and metaphorical force. The related noun פַּעַם (pa‘am) means "foot," "step," "occurrence," or "stroke," reflecting the root's connection with rhythmic movement or repetition.
Translation Consistency
“Stir” best covers both the physical/repetitive motion (rhythmic movement, tapping/striking) and the emotional/spiritual sense (heart or spirit being moved, troubled, or agitated). It is natural English, matches the attested P2 renderings (stirred/troubled), and allows consistent, idiomatic inflection across contexts while leaving room to specify intensity in translation when needed.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to tap, i.e. beat regularly; hence (generally) to impel or agitate; move, trouble.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פעמ (p-ʿ-m) — to beat, to strike rhythmically, to stir
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6470-03 |
וַ/תִּפָּ֣עֶם | vatipaem | HC/VNw3fs |
and it has troubled | and she was stirred | and it was stirred | 2 |
H6470-01 |
לְ/פַעֲמ֖/וֹ | lefaamo | HR/Vqc/Sp3ms |
to move him | to stir him | to stir him | 1 |
H6470-02 |
נִ֝פְעַ֗מְתִּי | nifeameti | HVNp1cs |
I am troubled | I was stirred | I was stirred | 1 |
H6470-04 |
וַ/תִּתְפָּ֣עֶם | vatitepaem | HC/Vtw3fs |
and was troubled | and she stirred herself | and it was troubled | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6470-03 |
Genesis 41:8 | וַ/תִּפָּ֣עֶם | vatipaem | HC/VNw3fs |
was troubled | and she was stirred | and it was stirred |
H6470-01 |
Judges 13:25 | לְ/פַעֲמ֖/וֹ | lefaamo | HR/Vqc/Sp3ms |
to move him | to stir him | to stir him |
H6470-02 |
Psalms 77:5 | נִ֝פְעַ֗מְתִּי | nifeameti | HVNp1cs |
I am troubled | I was stirred | I was stirred |
H6470-04 |
Daniel 2:1 | וַ/תִּתְפָּ֣עֶם | vatitepaem | HC/Vtw3fs |
and was troubled | and she stirred herself | and it was troubled |
H6470-03 |
Daniel 2:3 | וַ/תִּפָּ֣עֶם | vatipaem | HC/VNw3fs |
and it has troubled | and she was stirred | and it was stirred |