פּוּג
𐤐𐤅𐤂
pûwg
H6313 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
A verb meaning to grow slack, lose intensity, become feeble or faint, or lapse in vigor or energy. The term is used in physical, emotional, or metaphorical contexts to describe a cessation or weakening of strength, effort, or fervor.
Semantic Range
to cease (in vigor, effort, feeling); to become feeble (physically or emotionally); to faint; to lose strength; to become less intense; to slacken
Root / Etymology
From the root פוג, which conveys the idea of slackening, abatement, or losing strength. This root does not appear to have clear cognates in other Semitic languages, making its broader etymological origins somewhat uncertain, but within Hebrew its derivatives and usage strongly relate to a decline in force or vivacity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, פּוּג is commonly found in poetic or metaphorical contexts. For instance, it can describe physical weakness or fainting (as in the loss of strength of an individual), but also an emotional or mental slacking, such as the abatement of anger (Gen 45:26, where 'his heart fainted'). Its infrequent occurrence in the Hebrew Bible is mostly in narrative or poetic passages dealing with internal states rather than concrete, physical action. Over time, later Hebrew uses similar roots and terms for slackening or easing, but פּוּג is relatively archaic and not present in post-biblical Hebrew. English translations using terms like 'faint,' 'slack,' or 'cease' capture elements of the original, but cannot always reflect the nuance between physical, emotional, and metaphorical weakening present in the Hebrew contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be sluggish; cease, be feeble, faint, be slacked.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פוג (p-w-g) — to grow slack, become weak, lose strength
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6313-02 |
תָּפ֣וּג | tafug | HVqi3fs |
is paralyzed | she grows slack | 2 | |
H6313-03 |
וַ/יָּ֣פָג | vayafag | HC/Vqw3ms |
and grew numb | and he grew slack | 1 | |
H6313-01 |
נְפוּג֣וֹתִי | nefugoti | HVNp1cs |
I am numb | I have grown slack | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6313-03 |
Genesis 45:26 | וַ/יָּ֣פָג | vayafag | HC/Vqw3ms |
and grew numb | and he grew slack | |
H6313-02 |
Habakkuk 1:4 | תָּפ֣וּג | tafug | HVqi3fs |
is paralyzed | she grows slack | |
H6313-01 |
Psalms 38:9 | נְפוּג֣וֹתִי | nefugoti | HVNp1cs |
I am numb | I have grown slack | |
H6313-02 |
Psalms 77:3 | תָפ֑וּג | tafug | HVqi3fs |
it ceased | she grows slack |