פָּדַע (pa.da)
pa.da
to deliver
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb padâ appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 33:24. In this specific context, it carries a meaning akin to "to deliver" or "to ransom." The text describes an angelic mediator speaking on behalf of a person to show them their uprightness and redeem them from descending into the pit.
Despite its clear semantic connection to rescue, the exact etymology and full range of this word remain uncertain. Lexical sources classify it as dubious or rare, noting that its precise derivation is unclear. This singularity means we lack comparative usage in other biblical passages to fully define its nuances beyond this single instance of divine intervention.
Its solitary appearance highlights a moment of grace within Job’s discourse on suffering. The word underscores the belief that deliverance is not merely human effort but involves heavenly mediation. Translators typically render it as "redeem" or "deliver," capturing the sense of being bought back or saved from destruction through the intercession of a divine agent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Job 33:24 offers a rare glimpse into how God intervenes when we feel trapped by our own mistakes or suffering. The text mentions an angelic mediator who speaks to declare a person upright, effectively delivering them from the pit. This single occurrence reminds us that rescue often comes through unexpected channels and divine grace rather than our own strength.
When life feels like a descent into darkness, this verse suggests that heaven is actively working for your restoration. The concept of a ransom implies a costly price was paid to pull you back from destruction. You are not abandoned in your lowest moments; there is a heavenly advocate who seeks to restore your standing and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- deliver/ him1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּ֭דָעֵ/הוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 33:24
then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
This is the only occurrence of the word, where it describes an angelic mediator securing deliverance from the pit through a found ransom.