פֶּחָר
𐤐𐤇𐤓
pechâr
H6353 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A craftsman who fashions vessels or containers out of clay or other malleable materials, specifically a potter. The word denotes an individual skilled in the production of pottery, utilizing shaping and forming techniques, with particular reference in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
potter; one who fashions clay vessels; artisan skilled in pottery-making; more generally, a craftsman who works with ceramics.
Root / Etymology
From an Aramaic root, possibly פחר, which is not directly attested in Biblical Hebrew but is related to similar roots in other Northwest Semitic languages meaning 'to shape, form, or fashion (clay).' The Hebrew cognate יצר (yṣr) covers the similar concept of forming or shaping.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פֶּחָר (pechâr) occurs only in the Aramaic sections of Ezra (Ezra 6:2), reflecting the language and craft traditions under imperial Persian influence. The term refers not only to the occupation but to the recognized specialist needed in administrative or temple contexts. Aramaic פֶּחָר replaced the standard Hebrew יוֹצֵר (yôṣēr) in these settings. In contrast to יוֹצֵר, which is the common Hebrew word for a potter (found throughout the Hebrew Bible), פֶּחָר is linguistically specific to Aramaic and does not appear in pre-exilic Hebrew prose. Modern translations consistently render the term as 'potter,' accurately reflecting its occupational meaning, though they do not always make the distinction in register or scriptural language clear. The word does not carry later theological symbolism associated with the potter in prophetic literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) from an unused root probably meaning to fashion; a potter; potter.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פחר (p-ḥ-r) — to shape, to form, to fashion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6353-01 |
פֶחָר֙ | fechar | ANcmsa |
potter's | clay-shaper | potter's | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6353-01 |
Daniel 2:41 | פֶחָר֙ | fechar | ANcmsa |
potter's | clay-shaper | potter's |