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פִּתּוּחַ

𐤐𐤕𐤅𐤇

pittûwach

H6603 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פתח to open, to engrave, to carve

Definition

Decorative carving or engraving; especially ornamentation executed in relief (either raised or sunk), typically applied to metal, stone, or wood, often found in architectural or cultic contexts such as temple furnishings. The term refers not just to general decoration, but specifically to work that involves the creation of patterns, figures, or motifs through incising, carving, or chiseling no matter the depth of projection.

Semantic Range

engraving, incision, carved or sculpted relief (low or high), intaglio, ornamental carved design, artistic relief, decorative motif produced by carving

Root / Etymology

From the root פתח (p-t-ch), meaning 'to open,' 'to engrave,' or 'to carve.' While the primary sense of the root is 'to open,' by extension, it came to refer to the act of engraving or carving designs by cutting open a surface. פִּתּוּחַ is a noun form denoting the result or art of such engraving or carving.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פִּתּוּחַ is primarily used in Exodus to describe the craftsmanship required for tabernacle and cultic objects—specifically, the engraved patterns or figures upon precious stones or metallic surfaces (Exodus 28:11, 28:21, 39:6, etc.). The term signals skilled artisanal work and is distinct from general terms for 'decoration' or 'imagery.' It emphasizes the technique (carving, engraving in relief) rather than the material or motif. In contrast to חָרִשׁ (artisan, craftsman) and חָרֵשׁ (to engrave), פִּתּוּחַ centers on the product rather than the agent or mere act. Later usage in post-biblical Hebrew continues this sense, but is often applied to a wider array of decorative arts. English translations such as 'engraving' or 'carving' capture the sense, but can fail to convey the precise technique and artistic quality intended.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or פִּתֻּחַ ; passive participle of פָּתַח; sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio); carved (work) (are, en-) grave(-ing, -n).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פתח (p-t-ḥ) — to open, to engrave, to carve

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3315 יֶפֶת to Yepheth
H3316 יִפְתָּח to He-Will-Open
H4668 מַפְתֵּחַ the opener
H4669 מִפְתָּח the opening
H5318 נֶפְתּוֹחַ Opening-Spring

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6603-03 פִּתּוּחֵ֣י pituchey HNcmpc engravings of ornamental carvings of 7
H6603-05 פִּתּוּחִ֑ים pituchim HNcmpa engravings carved reliefs 1
H6603-02 פִּתֻּחָ֗/הּ pituchah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its inscription her carved relief 1
H6603-01 פִּתּ֔וּחַ pitucha HNcmsa engraving carved relief 1
H6603-04 פִּתּוּחֶ֣י/הָ pitucheyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs its carvings her carved reliefs 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6603-03 Exodus 28:11 פִּתּוּחֵ֣י pituchey HNcmpc engravings of ornamental carvings of
H6603-03 Exodus 28:21 פִּתּוּחֵ֤י pituchey HNcmpc engravings-of ornamental carvings of
H6603-03 Exodus 28:36 פִּתּוּחֵ֣י pituchey HNcmpc engravings ornamental carvings of
H6603-03 Exodus 39:6 פִּתּוּחֵ֣י pituchey HNcmpc engravings ornamental carvings of
H6603-03 Exodus 39:14 פִּתּוּחֵ֤י pituchey HNcmpc engravings of ornamental carvings of
H6603-03 Exodus 39:30 פִּתּוּחֵ֣י pituchey HNcmpc like the engravings of ornamental carvings of
H6603-03 1 Kings 6:29 פִּתּוּחֵי֙ pituchey HNcmpc openings of ornamental carvings of
H6603-02 Zechariah 3:9 פִּתֻּחָ֗/הּ pituchah HNcmsc/Sp3fs its inscription her carved relief
H6603-04 Psalms 74:6 פִּתּוּחֶ֣י/הָ pitucheyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs its carvings her carved reliefs
H6603-05 2 Chronicles 2:6 פִּתּוּחִ֑ים pituchim HNcmpa engravings carved reliefs
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