פִּיחַ
𐤐𐤉𐤇
pîyach
H6368 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Fine powder or ash, typically the residue left after burning, especially as it is easily dispersed by wind or breath. The term denotes material that is insubstantial and readily blown away, with usage emphasizing the ephemeral, transient quality of ashes or dust in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
Semantic Range
fine ash, soot, residue from burning, powder easily blown away, soiling or impurity, ephemeral dust
Root / Etymology
From the root פּוּחַ (pûaḥ), meaning 'to breathe, blow, exhale, puff.' פִּיחַ (pîyach) is a nominal formation denoting something that can be readily 'puffed' or 'blown' away, hence signifying loose ash or fine dust.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פִּיחַ occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Zechariah 3:3-5 regarding the soiled garments of the high priest, where the imagery points to impurities or filth easily removed (i.e., ashes or soot). The context often suggests not just general powder or dust, but specifically soiling, filthy ash, or residue left from burning—emphasizing pollution, uncleanness, or humiliation. The word is distinct from אֵפֶר ('ēper), which also means ash but is used more broadly for ashes remaining after sacrifice or burning, without the specific nuance of something blown away. In later Hebrew, פִּיחַ retains the meaning of soot or ash but is distinguished from everyday dust. English translations commonly render פִּיחַ as 'ash' or 'filthy garments,' but may obscure the sense of something insubstantial or soiled. The word is attested mainly in post-exilic prophetic literature and is rare elsewhere.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פּוּחַ; a powder (as easily puffed away), i.e. ashes or dust; ashes.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פוח (p-w-ḥ) — blow, breathe, exhale, puff
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6368-01 |
פִּ֖יחַ | picha | HNcmsc |
of soot | wind-blown ash | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6368-01 |
Exodus 9:8 | פִּ֖יחַ | picha | HNcmsc |
of soot | wind-blown ash |
H6368-01 |
Exodus 9:10 | פִּ֣יחַ | picha | HNcmsc |
soot of | wind-blown ash |