פֵּאָה (pe.ah)
pe.ah
side
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 32 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pe’ah denotes a corner, edge, or extremity of an object or region. Its core meaning is spatial, referring to the outer boundary or side of something concrete. In the Torah, it appears frequently in the detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, where it describes the specific sides of the curtains and frames (Exodus 26:18-20). This usage grounds the word in physical architecture, marking the limits of a sacred structure.
The term extends beyond buildings to define agricultural boundaries. It is most famous for its legal application in Leviticus 19:9 and 23:22, where farmers are commanded to leave the pe’ah of their fields for the poor. This "corner" or edge of the harvest was not to be cut down, ensuring that those without land had access to food. The word also describes geographical quarters, such as the north side of the Tabernacle or the region of Moab (Numbers 35:5; Jeremiah 48:45).
A notable application of pe’ah involves personal grooming. Leviticus 19:27 prohibits shaving the pe’ah of the beard, referring to the hair at the sides near the ears. This specific detail distinguishes Israelite identity from neighboring nations who practiced different styles of shaving. The word consistently points to what is left at the periphery, whether it be a physical corner of a field or the edge of one’s appearance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pe’ah literally means a corner or edge, but in Scripture it carries a weighty spiritual significance. In the agricultural laws of Leviticus, God commanded Israel to leave the pe’ah of their fields for the poor and the foreigner. This was not an afterthought but a deliberate act of justice, ensuring that those without land could gather food from the margins of the harvest.
This instruction reveals a heart for inclusion. The edge of the field, often overlooked in the rush of reaping, became a place of provision for the vulnerable. It reminds us that faith is not just about what we keep for ourselves but how we treat those on the periphery. Our actions at the boundaries of our resources can reflect God’s care for the stranger and the needy.
When we consider our own lives, pe’ah invites us to look beyond the center of our comfort. It challenges us to see value in what is left at the edge. By leaving room for others in our time, our wealth, and our community, we participate in a divine rhythm of generosity that honors God and supports those who depend on His provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 32 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] side of9×
- for/ [the] side of6×
- to/ [the] side of5×
- and/ for/ [the] side of3×
- the/ corners2×
- of/ [the] side of2×
- and/ [the] side of2×
- [the] corner2×
- with/ a corner of1×
- to/ a corner1×
- of the/ side1×
- from/ [the] side of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּאַת\־5×
- פְּאַ֥ת3×
- לִ/פְאַת\־3×
- לִ/פְאַ֣ת3×
- לִ/פְאַ֤ת2×
- לִ/פְאַ֖ת2×
- הַ/פֵּאֹ֔ת2×
- פַּאֲתֵ֣י1×
- פְּאַ֤ת1×
- פְּאַ֣ת1×
- פְּאַ֖ת1×
- פֵאָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 19:9
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest.
This verse establishes the legal requirement to leave the corners of the field unharvested, making pe’ah a tangible act of social justice.
-
Leviticus 23:22
“‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not wholly reap into the corners of your field. You must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.’”
Here the command is repeated with an explicit purpose, linking the physical edge of the harvest to the care for the poor and the foreigner.
-
Exodus 26:18
You shall make twenty boards for the tabernacle, for the south side southward.
This occurrence shows the word’s architectural use, describing the south side of the tabernacle boards and grounding the term in sacred space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pe’ah mean in the Bible?
Why was pe’ah important in ancient Israel?
Does pe’ah appear outside of agricultural laws?
Every Occurrence (32 verses across 7 books)
Exodus 14 verses
You shall make four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that are on its four feet.
Exodus 26:18You shall make twenty boards for the tabernacle, for the south side southward.
Exodus 26:20For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards,
Exodus 27:9“You shall make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine…
Exodus 27:11Likewise for the length of the north side, there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, and its pillars twenty, and…
Exodus 27:12For the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits; their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
Exodus 27:13The width of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
Exodus 36:23He made the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward.
Exodus 36:25For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards
Exodus 37:13He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet.
Exodus 38:9He made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, one hundred cubits;
Exodus 38:11For the north side one hundred cubits, their pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the…
Exodus 38:12For the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars,…
Exodus 38:13For the east side eastward fifty cubits,