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פְּתִחָה

𐤐𐤕𐤇𐤄

pᵉthichâh

H6609 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פתח to open, to release, to make accessible

Definition

An object that is open or has been opened, particularly used to refer to a sword drawn from its sheath (an unsheathed or bared sword). The term emphasizes the state of readiness implied by a weapon that is no longer sheathed and is thus 'opened' for use. In a more general sense, can refer to something that has been opened, but in attested biblical usage, specifically denotes a drawn sword.

Semantic Range

drawn sword, unsheathed sword, something opened

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root פתח, which primarily means 'to open'. פְּתִחָה is a feminine noun form that describes the state or result of opening. Here it is used concretely to designate a sword that has been removed from its covering or sheath, thus made ready for action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פְּתִחָה appears only in later biblical Hebrew texts (Ezekiel 21) and is a rare term. In usage, the word is not a typical or generic term for 'sword,' but rather emphasizes the condition of the sword being unsheathed and thus ready for conflict or judgment. This nuance is significant in prophetic literature, where the imagery of a drawn sword symbolizes impending action or divine intervention. English translations ('drawn sword') reflect the context, but the term itself focuses on the 'opened' or 'unsheathed' status more than on the weapon as such. Related Hebrew words for 'sword' include חֶרֶב (ḥerev), the standard term, which lacks this focus on the sword being unsheathed or readied.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from פָּתַח; something opened, i.e. a drawn sword; drawn sword.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פתח (p-t-ḥ) — to open, to release, to make accessible

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6609-01 פְתִחֽוֹת fetichot HNcfpa opened wide unsheathed swords 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6609-01 Psalms 55:22 פְתִחֽוֹת fetichot HNcfpa opened wide unsheathed swords
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