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פָּצַח

𐤐𐤑𐤇

pâtsach

H6476 verb

SILEX Entry

Root פצח to burst, to break open, to split, to break forth

Definition

To burst forth, break out audibly or physically, especially with reference to making noise. In its primary contexts,פָּצַח denotes the act of breaking out, whether in literal, physical sense (such as splitting or bursting something open), or more often in a figurative, vocal sense—bursting out in sound, commonly joyful or exuberant, as in songs or shouts of praise.

Semantic Range

to burst forth physically, to break or split open, to break out (in loud sound), to make a loud or joyful noise, to break forth into song, to shout in exultation or praise

Root / Etymology

The root is פָּצַח (פ-צ-ח), whose core meaning relates to breaking, splitting open, or bursting forth. פָּצַח is the Qal verbal form deriving from this root, carrying the sense of to burst forth or break open. In its figurative developments, this root is applied to human action, particularly unrestrained vocal expression.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, פָּצַח appears mainly in poetical and prophetic texts, especially in the Psalms and Isaiah. Early uses typically involve the action of bursting or breaking open in a physical or metaphorical sense, but by later poetic texts, the word is especially associated with the spontaneous eruption of joyful sound—songs, shouts, or triumphant acclaim among the people or even inanimate creation (see Isaiah 52:9; Psalm 98:4). This sense reflects a transition from a primarily physical action (bursting, splitting) to a more idiomatic usage focused on vocal outburst, often with connotations of praise or glad celebration. The term is distinct from similar words such as רָנַן (ranan, to shout or cry out joyfully) and גִּיל (gil, to rejoice), though often parallel or overlapping in poetic texts. English translations typically render פָּצַח as "break forth" or "make a joyful noise," but these do not always capture the nuance of sudden, unrestrained eruption found in the Hebrew. In later biblical periods, the word continues to bear its earlier sense of bursting out, but is more narrowly focused on collective, celebratory expression than its root meaning might initially suggest.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to break out (in joyful sound); break (forth, forth into joy), make a loud noise.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פצח (p-ts-ḥ) — bursting, breaking open, splitting, breaking forth

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6476-03 פִּצְח֤וּ pitsechu HVqv2mp break forth Burst forth! 4
H6476-05 יפצחו yftschv HVqj3mp break forth let them burst forth 1
H6476-06 יִפְצְח֤וּ yifetsechu HVqi3mp will break forth they will burst forth 1
H6476-01 פָּצְח֖וּ patsechu HVqp3cp they break forth they burst forth 1
H6476-02 פִּצְחִ֨י pitsechi HVqv2fs Break forth Burst forth! 1
H6476-04 וּ/פִצְח֥וּ ufitsechu HC/Vqv2mp and break forth and burst forth! 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6476-01 Isaiah 14:7 פָּצְח֖וּ patsechu HVqp3cp they break forth they burst forth
H6476-03 Isaiah 44:23 פִּצְח֤וּ pitsechu HVqv2mp break forth Burst forth!
H6476-05 Isaiah 49:13 יפצחו yftschv HVqj3mp break forth let them burst forth
H6476-04 Isaiah 49:13 וּ/פִצְח֥וּ ufitsechu HC/Vqv2mp and break forth and burst forth!
H6476-03 Isaiah 52:9 פִּצְח֤וּ pitsechu HVqv2mp Break forth Burst forth!
H6476-02 Isaiah 54:1 פִּצְחִ֨י pitsechi HVqv2fs Break forth Burst forth!
H6476-06 Isaiah 55:12 יִפְצְח֤וּ yifetsechu HVqi3mp will break forth they will burst forth
H6476-03 Micah 3:3 פִּצֵּ֑חוּ pitsechu HVpp3cp they chop Burst forth!
H6476-03 Psalms 98:4 פִּצְח֖וּ pitsechu HVqv2mp break forth Burst forth!
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