פֶּקַע
𐤐𐤒𐤏
peqaʻ
H6497 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A rounded ornamental feature in architecture, typically a knob or bulging projection found on the capitals of columns or lampstands, resembling a semi-spherical shape. The term denotes a decorative, semi-globular form rather than a functional component.
Semantic Range
ornamental knob, rounded projection, architectural semi-globe, decorative bulge or protuberance
Root / Etymology
The word פֶּקַע (peqaʻ) is from the root פקע, although this root is not attested elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible and is considered unused. The root meaning is commonly hypothesized as 'to burst' or 'to bulge outward,' which fits the ornamental, protruding nature of the architectural 'knop.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
פֶּקַע appears only in reference to decorative elements in the temple architecture, notably in the description of the lampstands or columns (e.g., 1 Kings 7:20,42; 2 Chronicles 4:12-13). Its use is limited to this architectural context in the monarchy period, particularly in texts describing Solomon's Temple. The English term 'knop' is archaic and may not convey the decorative, hemispherical intent to modern readers. The related term פַּקֻּעָה (paqquʻah) appears in similar architectural settings, and both refer to bulging or rounded ornamental nodes. Later translations have sometimes rendered the term as 'knob' or 'gourd,' but 'semi-globe' or 'ornamental protuberance' more accurately reflects its function as a decorative bulge. The word does not carry symbolic value within the text and should not be read through later religious architectural terminology.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to burst; only used as an architectural term of an ornament similar to פַּקֻּעָה,; a semi-globe; knop.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פקע (p-q-ʿ) — to burst, to bulge, to swell
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6498 | פַּקֻּעָה | burst-open wild gourds |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6497-02 |
פְּקָעִ֔ים | peqaim | HNcmpa |
gourds | ornamental bulges | 1 |
H6497-03 |
וּ/פְקָעִים֩ | ufeqaim | HC/Ncmpa |
and-gourds | and bulging knobs | 1 |
H6497-01 |
הַ/פְּקָעִ֔ים | hapeqaim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the-gourds | the bulging projections | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6497-02 |
1 Kings 6:18 | פְּקָעִ֔ים | peqaim | HNcmpa |
gourds | ornamental bulges |
H6497-03 |
1 Kings 7:24 | וּ/פְקָעִים֩ | ufeqaim | HC/Ncmpa |
and-gourds | and bulging knobs |
H6497-01 |
1 Kings 7:24 | הַ/פְּקָעִ֔ים | hapeqaim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the-gourds | the bulging projections |