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פַּחַת

𐤐𐤇𐤕

pachath

H6354 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A pit, depression, or hole in the ground, usually excavated purposefully, often as a trap for animals but also as a hazard or place of danger for people. The term can denote both a literal hole in the earth and, figuratively, a place of entrapment or destruction. While typically associated with hunting or trapping (especially animals), it can also refer to an ambush or calamity intended for humans.

Semantic Range

pit, man-made hole, animal trap, snare intended for entrapment, calamity, place of danger, figurative danger or destruction

Root / Etymology

Root/etymology uncertain. The form suggests derivation from an otherwise unattested root likely related to the Semitic idea of 'to dig' or 'to hollow out' (as supported by cognate evidence in other Semitic languages). However, no active verb is attested in biblical Hebrew for this root, so the connection is hypothesized based on form and usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פַּחַת (pachath) appears in poetic and prophetic texts to depict both literal pits (dug as traps for animals or enemies) and existential threats (trouble, calamity, or unexpected downfall). Its usage often overlaps with other Hebrew words for 'pit', such as בּוֹר (bor, typically a cistern, well, or prison), but פַּחַת is more specifically a man-made excavation and frequently emphasizes sudden danger or entrapment. Unlike בּוֹר, פַּחַת rarely refers to water storage or prisons. The figurative use reflects common ancient Near Eastern imagery of hidden dangers or snares awaiting the unsuspecting. In post-exilic and intertestamental literature, the imagery persists but begins merging with broader metaphors for destruction. Standard English translations use 'pit,' 'snare,' or 'trap,' sometimes missing the nuance of purposeful or deceptive construction.

Translation Consistency

primary "pit" 10 occurrences

"Pit" is the natural, common English noun that covers the full SILEX range—literal hole or dug-out, animal trap, and figurative place of danger or destruction. It is the dominant English rendering in the occurrences (9/10), is simple and idiomatic, and will read naturally across literal and figurative contexts.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from an unused root apparently meaning to dig; a pit, especially forcatching animals; hole, pit, snare.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

פחת (p-ḥ-t) — to dig, to hollow out, to excavate

Root פחת to dig, to hollow out, to excavate (root, hypothetical)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6356 פְּחֶתֶת sunken fabric-hole

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6354-02 הַ/פַּ֣חַת hapachat HTd/Ncmsa the pit the dug-out pit the pit 5
H6354-04 וָ/פַ֖חַת vafachat HC/Ncmsa and a snare and a dug pit and a pit 3
H6354-01 פָֽחַת fachat HNcmsa the pit dug-out pit of the pit 1
H6354-03 הַ/פְּחָתִ֔ים hapechatim HTd/Ncmpa the pits the dug-out pits the dug-out pits 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6354-03 2 Samuel 17:9 הַ/פְּחָתִ֔ים hapechatim HTd/Ncmpa the pits the dug-out pits the dug-out pits
H6354-02 2 Samuel 18:17 הַ/פַּ֣חַת hapachat HTd/Ncmsa the pit the dug-out pit the pit
H6354-04 Isaiah 24:17 וָ/פַ֖חַת vafachat HC/Ncmsa and-pit and a dug pit and a pit
H6354-02 Isaiah 24:18 הַ/פַּ֔חַת hapachat HTd/Ncmsa the pit the dug-out pit the pit
H6354-02 Isaiah 24:18 הַ/פַּ֔חַת hapachat-2 HTd/Ncmsa of the pit the dug-out pit the pit
H6354-01 Jeremiah 48:28 פָֽחַת fachat HNcmsa the pit dug-out pit of the pit
H6354-04 Jeremiah 48:43 וָ/פַ֖חַת vafachat HC/Ncmsa pit and a dug pit and a pit
H6354-02 Jeremiah 48:44 הַ/פַּ֔חַת hapachat HTd/Ncmsa the pit the dug-out pit the pit
H6354-02 Jeremiah 48:44 הַ/פַּ֔חַת hapachat-2 HTd/Ncmsa the pit the dug-out pit the pit
H6354-04 Lamentations 3:47 וָ/פַ֛חַת vafachat HC/Ncmsa and a snare and a dug pit and a pit
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