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פָּתִיל

𐤐𐤕𐤉𐤋

pâthîyl

H6616 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פתל to twist, to twine, to entwine

Definition

A cord or thread made by twisting strands together; often refers to a band, ribbon, or string used for fastening, binding, or as an ornamental element. In context, can denote a decorative string, such as those added to garments, or practical cords for binding objects.

Semantic Range

twisted cord, thread, ribbon, string, band, cord for binding, decorative ribbon, ceremonial thread

Root / Etymology

From the root פָּתַל (ptl), meaning 'to twist, to twine.' פָּתִיל (pâthîyl) is a noun form directly derived from this root, indicating a thing that is twisted, i.e., a twisted cord, thread, or ribbon.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פָּתִיל appears in texts such as Numbers 15:38 (the 'thread of blue' on Israelite garments), Exodus 28:28 (bonding tabernacle components), and Genesis 38:18, 25 (Tamar's signet cord). Its usage frequently signifies a twisted fiber, string, or ribbon, sometimes colored or used for identification or ritual. In Numbers 15:38, it is specified as a blue thread or cord (petil tekhelet) on the fringes of garments, distinct from ordinary thread due to its color and ritual use. English translations vary (cord, ribbon, thread, lace), but none capture the precise idea of a twisted element. The term is not specific to one period but appears broadly across the Pentateuch and historical books, always connoting a twisted strand serving as an identifier, fastener, or ornamental band. It is distinct from חוּט (hut, thread, especially sewing thread), emphasizing its twisted quality and sometimes ceremonial role.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from פָּתַל; twine; bound, bracelet, lace, line, ribband, thread, wire.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פתל (p-t-l) — to twist, to twine, to entwine

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5319 נַפְתּוּל wrestlings of
H5321 נַפְתָּלִי in My-Wrestling
H6617 פָּתַל twisted one
H6618 פְּתַלְתֹּל twisted

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6616-03 פְּתִ֣יל petil HNcmsc thread twisted cord of 4
H6616-01 בִּ/פְתִ֣יל bifetil HR/Ncmsc with a cord with a twisted cord of 2
H6616-06 וּ/פְתִילֶ֔/ךָ ufetilekha HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms and its cord and your twisted cord 1
H6616-05 וּ/פְתִיל ufetil HC/Ncmsc and a line and twisted cord of 1
H6616-07 וְ/הַ/פְּתִילִ֛ים vehapetilim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the cords and the twisted cords 1
H6616-04 פְּתִילִם֒ petilim HNcmpa threads twisted cords 1
H6616-02 פָּתִ֖יל patil HNcmsa cord twisted cord 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6616-06 Genesis 38:18 וּ/פְתִילֶ֔/ךָ ufetilekha HC/Ncmsc/Sp2ms and its cord and your twisted cord
H6616-07 Genesis 38:25 וְ/הַ/פְּתִילִ֛ים vehapetilim HC/Td/Ncmpa and the cords and the twisted cords
H6616-01 Exodus 28:28 בִּ/פְתִ֣יל bifetil HR/Ncmsc with a cord with a twisted cord of
H6616-03 Exodus 28:37 פְּתִ֣יל petil HNcmsc cord twisted cord of
H6616-04 Exodus 39:3 פְּתִילִם֒ petilim HNcmpa threads twisted cords
H6616-01 Exodus 39:21 בִּ/פְתִ֣יל bifetil HR/Ncmsc with a cord with a twisted cord of
H6616-03 Exodus 39:31 פְּתִ֣יל petil HNcmsc a cord twisted cord of
H6616-03 Numbers 15:38 פְּתִ֥יל petil HNcmsc thread twisted cord of
H6616-02 Numbers 19:15 פָּתִ֖יל patil HNcmsa cord twisted cord
H6616-03 Judges 16:9 פְּתִֽיל petil HNcmsc thread twisted cord of
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