← H6605 H6607 →

פְּתַח

𐤐𐤕𐤇

pᵉthach

H6606 verb

SILEX Entry

Root פתח to open, to make accessible, to unseal

Definition

To open, especially in the sense of causing an entryway, object, door, or mouth to no longer be closed or shut; to make accessible, to loosen, or to unseal. In Aramaic, used primarily for literal opening of physical doors, gates, or objects, but may occasionally be used metaphorically for making accessible or starting something.

Semantic Range

to open (physically), to open a door/gate/object, to make accessible, to unseal, (rarely) to initiate or begin (metaphorically)

Root / Etymology

Root: פתח. The core meaning of the Hebrew root פ-ת-ח (p-t-ḥ) is 'to open.' The Aramaic פְּתַח (pᵉthach) is directly cognate with the Hebrew verb פָּתַח, sharing identical root consonants and semantic range. The word is a regular, triliteral verb form derived from the root meaning 'to open.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

פְּתַח appears in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible rather than in standard Biblical Hebrew, mainly in Daniel and Ezra. Its use parallels that of Hebrew פָּתַח, serving as the default verb for physically opening doors, gates, or windows. Contextual nuance can determine whether the word refers to the literal act of opening something closed or, in rarer cases, the figurative start of a process or making something accessible. In contrast to related verbs that can indicate turning (סבב) or uncovering (גלה), פְּתַח specifically emphasizes the action of moving from closed to accessible. Unlike later translations or English 'to open,' its range is less often extended to metaphorical applications within the biblical Aramaic corpus. English translations usually render פְּתַח straightforwardly as 'open,' which accurately reflects the intended meaning, though with occasional narrowing when English prefers more idiomatic expressions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to פָּתַח; to open; open.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

פתח (p-t-ḥ) — to open, to make accessible, to unseal

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3315 יֶפֶת to Yepheth
H3316 יִפְתָּח to He-Will-Open
H4668 מַפְתֵּחַ the opener
H4669 מִפְתָּח the opening
H5318 נֶפְתּוֹחַ Opening-Spring

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6606-02 פְּתִֽיחוּ petichu AVQp3mp were opened they opened 1
H6606-01 פְּתִיחָ֥ן petichan AVQsfpa open opened ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6606-01 Daniel 6:11 פְּתִיחָ֥ן petichan AVQsfpa open opened ones
H6606-02 Daniel 7:10 פְּתִֽיחוּ petichu AVQp3mp were opened they opened
← H6605 Hebrew Lexicon H6607 →