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פַּעַם

𐤐𐤏𐤌

paʻam

H6471 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A stroke, impulse, or occurrence; by extension, 'step,' 'footstep,' or 'time' (as in an occasion or instance), and, in some contexts, a bell strike, anvil, or wheel component. Used both literally for the action of striking or stepping, and figuratively for moment, occasion, or repetition (such as once, twice, etc.). In poetic and narrative usage, can denote the rhythm or beat (as of a bell or heart).

Semantic Range

stroke, strike, beat, step, footstep, pulse, signal, occurrence, occasion, time (as instance), repetition (once, twice, etc.), tolling (of bells), anvil, wheel component, rhythmic movement

Root / Etymology

From the root פָּעַם (paʻam), meaning 'to strike, beat, stir.' The noun פַּעַם (paʻam) derives from this verbal root and originally denotes a striking or a stroke, which developed into various senses associated with footsteps, the ringing of bells, or discrete occurrences in time. The feminine form פַּעֲמָה appears with similar meanings, sometimes with abstract or poetic nuance.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פַּעַם occurs throughout the Hebrew Bible with a range of literal and metaphorical uses. In early Israelite texts, it most often denotes a physical 'step' (1 Kings 18:35) or 'stroke' (like the beat of a bell or anvil, Exodus 28:34-35). By extension, it becomes a general term for a single instance or 'time' (e.g., Genesis 18:32, 'if I speak one more time'), as well as ordinal reference ('second time,' 'third time,' etc.). In poetic and prophetic passages, פַּעַם occasionally refers to the pulse or beating of the heart (Psalms 38:11). Later, in post-biblical Hebrew and in Jewish liturgy, the word extends to denote the concept of 'occasion' or 'once.' The translation 'foot' or 'footstep' must be distinguished from רֶגֶל (regel), the more common Hebrew term for the foot. English translations may use 'time' or 'once/twice' where the original Hebrew has פַּעַם; however, these do not always capture the underlying sense of rhythmic repetition or physical action implied by the Hebrew.

Translation Consistency

primary "time" 94 occurrences

Most occurrences are rendered as “time/times” and the noun’s primary sense in context is an occasion or instance — e.g., once, twice, this time — while still naturally covering rhythmic or recurring ‘strokes’ (a beat or toll) as metaphorical ‘time.’ “Time” is natural, succinct, and flexible enough to serve as the consistent base for all forms.

Alternatives (24 occurrences):
"feet" (5x) "steps" (4x) "once" (3x) "footsteps" (3x) "before" (2x) "this once" (1x) "striking-steps of" (1x) "stroke" (1x) "corners" (1x) "steps of" (1x) "anvil" (1x) "two footsteps" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (feminine) פַּעֲמָה; from פָּעַם; a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow); anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פעם (p-ʿ-m) — strike, beat, step, pulse

Root פעם to strike, to beat, to step, to pulse
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6472 פַּעֲמֹן striking-bells of

Word Forms

19 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6471-19 פְּעָמִ֔ים peamim HNcfpa times occurrences times 43
H6471-09 הַ/פַּ֗עַם hapaam HTd/Ncfsa this time the strike-instance this time 13
H6471-13 פַּ֣עַם paam HNcfsc once stroke-instance of time of 11
H6471-02 בְּ/פַ֖עַם befaam HR/Ncfsa by time at a stroke in a time 8
H6471-01 בַּ/פַּ֣עַם bapaam HRd/Ncfsa in the time in the stroke in the time 8
H6471-14 פַּעֲמָ֑יִם paamayim HNcfda twice two strokes two times 7
H6471-10 כְּ/פַֽעַם kefaam HR/Ncfsa as time as a stroke as before 5
H6471-08 פְעָמִ֔ים feamim HNcfpa times occurrences times 4
H6471-17 פְּעָמַ֔/י peamay HNcfpc/Sp1cs of my feet my foot-beats my feet 4
H6471-18 פְּעָמָ֥י/ו peamayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms his feet his foot-beats his steps 3

Occurrences in Scripture

118 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6471-09 Genesis 2:23 הַ/פַּ֗עַם hapaam HTd/Ncfsa at last the strike-instance this time
H6471-09 Genesis 18:32 הַ/פַּ֔עַם hapaam HTd/Ncfsa this once the strike-instance this time
H6471-03 Genesis 27:36 פַעֲמַ֔יִם faamayim HNcfda two times two strokes time two times
H6471-09 Genesis 29:34 הַ/פַּ֨עַם֙ hapaam HTd/Ncfsa this time the strike-instance this time
H6471-09 Genesis 29:35 הַ/פַּ֨עַם֙ hapaam HTd/Ncfsa this time the strike-instance at this time
H6471-09 Genesis 30:20 הַ/פַּ֨עַם֙ hapaam HTd/Ncfsa this time/now the strike-instance the time
H6471-19 Genesis 33:3 פְּעָמִ֔ים peamim HNcfpa times occurrences times
H6471-14 Genesis 41:32 פַּעֲמָ֑יִם paamayim HNcfda twice two strokes two times
H6471-03 Genesis 43:10 פַעֲמָֽיִם faamayim HNcfda twice two strokes time two times
H6471-09 Genesis 46:30 הַ/פָּ֑עַם hapaam HTd/Ncfsa now the strike-instance this time
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