פָּאָה (pa.ah)
pa.ah
to cleave
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb pa’ah appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Deuteronomy 32:26 within Moses’ song of witness. In this context, it means to cleave something into pieces or to shatter it completely. The text uses the Hiphil stem, which conveys a causative action, describing God’s intent to dash His enemies to fragments.
This rare word carries a vivid image of total destruction. It is not merely about breaking or damaging, but about reducing an object or person into scattered shards. By choosing this specific term, the text emphasizes the finality and thoroughness of the judgment being described, leaving no part intact.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pa’ah appears only once in Scripture, found in Deuteronomy 32:26. It describes a complete shattering, reducing something into scattered fragments. This vivid image reminds us that God’s justice is thorough and final. When evil seems entrenched or overwhelming, this verse assures us that no part of it remains intact before His authority.
This understanding brings comfort to those facing injustice. It confirms that wrongdoing does not have the last word. The same power that shatters enemies also protects the vulnerable. We can trust that God sees every act of harm and will deal with it according to His perfect wisdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I will cut in pieces/ them1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַפְאֵי/הֶ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 32:26
I said that I would scatter them afar. I would make their memory to cease from among men;
The Hiphil stem here emphasizes God’s active role in completely scattering His enemies, leaving no remnant behind.