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פָּצָה

𐤐𐤑𐤄

pâtsâh

H6475 verb

SILEX Entry

Root פצה to open, to gape, to begin (speaking)

Definition

To open, especially the mouth or an orifice, commonly used to describe the physical act of opening the mouth to speak, pray, shout, or otherwise vocalize. In some contexts, describes literal opening (as of a mouth, hand, or window), or metaphorically, to initiate speech or action.

Semantic Range

to open (the mouth, hand, or opening), to utter, to begin to speak, to cry out, to break open (poet.), to express (words or emotion)

Root / Etymology

Root פצה (p-ts-h). The core root meaning is 'to open.' The verb derives directly from this root, and its primary lexical value pertains to the act of physically opening, especially the mouth. The concept can extend to general opening or breaking an opening, but the association with speech is especially prevalent in usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פָּצָה is most frequently used in reference to opening the mouth, either in literal speech or in expressive acts such as prayer or lament. It occurs across the Hebrew Bible in both prose and poetry, with a strong concentration in Psalms and prophetic literature. While earliest uses are primarily physical, over time the verb paralleled expressions denoting the start of speaking—thus carrying the nuance of 'to begin to speak' or 'utter.' Distinct from related verbs like פָּתַח (pathach), which more broadly means 'to open' (doors, gates, etc.), פָּצָה is more narrowly focused on the mouth or apertures of the body. English translations often render the word as 'opened the mouth,' 'spoke,' or 'uttered,' but may obscure the literal sense of physical opening, particularly in poetry. Notably, in post-exilic passages, the verb maintains its root sense; it is not associated with ritual or legal language but with expressive, spontaneous action. The KJV rendering 'deliver' or 'rid' does not consistently reflect the original meaning and may mislead modern readers. The verb never directly refers to the act of setting someone free, but in rare metaphorical instances, it can denote delivering speech or a message with emotional force.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to rend, i.e. open (especially the mouth); deliver, gape, open, rid, utter.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פצה (p-ts-h) — to open, to gape, to begin speaking

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6475-05 פָּצ֣וּ patsu HVqp3cp have gaped they opened 4
H6475-02 פָּצְתָ֣ה patsetah HVqp3fs opened she opened 2
H6475-07 פְּצֵ֣/נִי petseni HVqv2ms/Sp1cs rescue me open me 2
H6475-01 הַ֭/פּוֹצֶה hapotseh HTd/Vqrmsa who rescues the one who opens 1
H6475-03 פָּצִ֤יתָה patsitah HVqp2ms you have opened you opened 1
H6475-08 וּ/פָצְתָ֨ה ufatsetah HC/Vqq3fs and she opens and she opened 1
H6475-10 יִפְצֶה yifetseh HVqi3ms opens he will open 1
H6475-06 פְּצֵ֣ה petseh HVqv2ms open Open! 1
H6475-09 וּ/פֹצֶ֥ה ufotseh HC/Vqrmsa or-opening and opening-one 1
H6475-04 פָּצִ֤יתִי patsiti HVqp1cs have opened I opened 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6475-02 Genesis 4:11 פָּצְתָ֣ה patsetah HVqp3fs opened she opened
H6475-08 Numbers 16:30 וּ/פָצְתָ֨ה ufatsetah HC/Vqq3fs and she opens and she opened
H6475-02 Deuteronomy 11:6 פָּצְתָ֤ה patsetah HVqp3fs opened she opened
H6475-04 Judges 11:35 פָּצִ֤יתִי patsiti HVqp1cs have opened I opened
H6475-03 Judges 11:36 פָּצִ֤יתָה patsitah HVqp2ms you have opened you opened
H6475-09 Isaiah 10:14 וּ/פֹצֶ֥ה ufotseh HC/Vqrmsa or-opening and opening-one
H6475-06 Ezekiel 2:8 פְּצֵ֣ה petseh HVqv2ms open Open!
H6475-05 Psalms 22:14 פָּצ֣וּ patsu HVqp3cp have gaped they opened
H6475-05 Psalms 66:14 פָּצ֥וּ patsu HVqp3cp uttered they opened
H6475-07 Psalms 144:7 פְּצֵ֣/נִי petseni HVqv2ms/Sp1cs rescue me open me
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