פּוּךְ
𐤐𐤅𐤊
pûwk
H6320 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A mineral-based cosmetic, particularly a black powder (typically antimony or galena), used as eye paint or liner in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The term may refer both to the substance itself and, by metonymy, the act of applying it — i.e., to paint the eyes. In some contexts, it can extend to pigments used for decorative purposes or coloring.
Semantic Range
antimony eye paint, kohl, cosmetic pigment, act of painting eyes, decorative coloring (specifically of the eyelids, lashes, or face); rarely, by extension, other forms of cosmetic coloring
Root / Etymology
Root is uncertain, possibly related to an unused root meaning 'to paint' or 'to smear.' The term appears to be a denominative representing the mineral cosmetic substance commonly used, rather than a direct verbal formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פּוּךְ occurs only in poetic and prophetic passages (e.g., 2 Kings 9:30; Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 23:40). In ancient Israelite culture, the use of eye paints—especially by women—was both decorative and, at times, associated with beautification rituals. The practice is also attested widely among neighboring peoples in Egypt and Mesopotamia. While later Jewish (Judean) tradition sometimes condemned its use as vain or associated with moral laxity, in its original contexts in the Hebrew Bible, פּוּךְ is a neutral term indicating a common cosmetic practice among women of the ancient Near East. The English term 'paint' or 'painting' eyes (e.g., KJV 'painted her face') only narrowly reflects the material aspect of פּוּךְ, missing its mineral specificity and cultural context. In all occurrences, it refers to the application of dark mineral-based powder to the eyelids and lashes, often for beautification or to enhance appearance. There is no evidence that this term referred to warfare or ritual use in biblical contexts, though cosmetics were at times ritually charged in the broader region.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to paint; dye (specifically, stibium for the eyes); fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פוך (p-w-k) — to smear with pigment, to paint, cosmetic coloring
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6320-01 |
בַּ/פּ֤וּךְ | bapukhe | HRd/Ncmsa |
in-antimony | in the eye-paint | 2 |
H6320-03 |
בַ/פּוּךְ֙ | vapukhe | HRd/Ncmsa |
with paint | with the eye-paint | 1 |
H6320-02 |
פ֣וּךְ | fukhe | HNcmsa |
antimony | eye-paint pigment | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6320-01 |
2 Kings 9:30 | בַּ/פּ֤וּךְ | bapukhe | HRd/Ncmsa |
in paint | in the eye-paint |
H6320-01 |
Isaiah 54:11 | בַּ/פּוּךְ֙ | bapukhe | HRd/Ncmsa |
in-antimony | in the eye-paint |
H6320-03 |
Jeremiah 4:30 | בַ/פּוּךְ֙ | vapukhe | HRd/Ncmsa |
with paint | with the eye-paint |
H6320-02 |
1 Chronicles 29:2 | פ֣וּךְ | fukhe | HNcmsa |
antimony | eye-paint pigment |