פִּגּוּל (pig.gul)
pig.gul
refuse
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pigul refers to something that is foul or rejected, but in Scripture it has a very specific technical meaning: sacrificial meat that has become ritually unclean because it was not consumed within the allotted time. It appears only three times in the Bible, primarily in Leviticus 7:18 and 19:8, where it describes meat offered in vain.
This term highlights the seriousness of ritual obedience in ancient Israel. If a sacrifice was eaten on the third day instead of the first or second, it was no longer acceptable to God; it became "refuse" rather than a holy offering. The prophet Isaiah later uses this imagery in Isaiah 65:4 to describe people who eat swine’s flesh and keep forbidden meals, linking their physical disobedience to spiritual corruption.
Unlike general terms for uncleanness, pigul is tied directly to the timing of worship. It shows how closely ancient Israelites connected proper ritual practice with reverence for God. The word reminds readers that even good acts can become unacceptable when done without regard for divine instruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pigul describes sacrificial meat that became refuse because it was kept past the time God set for eating it. In ancient Israel, offering an animal was a serious act of worship, and timing mattered deeply. When the meat sat too long, it lost its holy status and became something to be discarded. This wasn't just about food safety; it was about respecting the boundaries God placed on how His people approached Him.
For your faith today, this reminds us that our devotion is measured by obedience, not just intention. We might offer our time, talents, or prayers with good hearts, but if we ignore God's instructions or delay what He has asked of us, those acts lose their value. True worship aligns our actions with His commands, ensuring our offerings are accepted and pleasing to Him.
Isaiah later used this idea to show how spiritual neglect leads to deeper corruption. When people treat sacred things lightly, they drift into behaviors that separate them from God. Let this encourage you to pursue reverence in your daily walk, keeping your heart attentive to His will rather than relying on past good deeds.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- unclean meat<s>1×
- unclean meat1×
- [is] unclean meat1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פִּגֻּלִ֖ים1×
- פִּגּ֥וּל1×
- פִּגּ֣וּל1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 7:18
If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.
This verse establishes the rule that peace offerings eaten on the third day are rejected and do not count toward the offerer's righteousness.
-
Leviticus 19:7
If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted;
Here the text reinforces that delayed consumption turns a holy sacrifice into an abomination, emphasizing the strictness of ritual timing.
-
Isaiah 65:4
who sit among the graves, and spend nights in secret places; who eat pig’s meat, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
The prophet uses the concept of refuse to illustrate how spiritual neglect and disobedience lead to practices that are detestable to God.