פֶּה (peh)
peh
lip
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 400 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun peh primarily denotes the mouth, covering both its physical function as an organ for eating and breathing, and its role as the instrument of speech. While it refers to human mouths in everyday contexts, the term also extends to animals and even birds, such as when a dove brings an olive leaf to Noah’s ark (Genesis 8:11). This broad usage highlights that speech is viewed as a natural, embodied act shared across creation.
Beyond anatomy, peh carries significant metaphorical weight. It frequently represents the source of divine or human authority, appearing in phrases like “by the mouth of” to indicate that words originate from a specific speaker. In Proverbs, the condition of one’s mouth often reflects the state of their heart, as seen when wisdom is described as speaking from pure lips (Proverbs 8:13). The word also expands into spatial imagery, describing the edge or opening of objects, such as the mouth of a river or the edge of a sword.
Etymologically, peh is linked to roots meaning “to blow” or “breathe,” suggesting that speech is an exhalation of life. This connection underscores the vitality inherent in spoken words in Hebrew thought. Translators typically render it simply as “mouth,” but the term encompasses everything from a literal opening to the forceful expression of intent, making it a central concept for understanding communication and authority in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word peh refers to the mouth, encompassing both the physical organ for eating and breathing and the instrument of speech. In Scripture, it often symbolizes authority and truth, as God is described as putting words into a prophet’s mouth. This highlights that our words carry weight and reflect the condition of our hearts.
When we speak, we participate in a divine act of creation and communication. Proverbs teaches that pure lips bring wisdom, while deceitful tongues reveal inner turmoil. Understanding peh encourages us to guard our speech, knowing that what comes out of our mouths matters deeply to God and those around us.
This concept reminds us that every word is an exhalation of life. Whether offering comfort or speaking truth, our lips can bless or harm. By aligning our speech with God’s wisdom, we honor Him and build up others in love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 400 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] mouth of88×
- to/ [the] mouth of46×
- mouth/ his36×
- mouth/ my32×
- mouth/ your24×
- from/ [the] mouth of14×
- in/ [the] mouth of13×
- mouth/ their11×
- mouth/ its10×
- mouth9×
- and/ [the] mouth of9×
- according to/ [the] mouth of9×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/פִי\־35×
- פִּ֣י31×
- פִּ֥י25×
- וּ/פִ֥י8×
- בְּ/פִ֣י8×
- פִּ֤י7×
- מִ/פִּ֣י7×
- לְ/פִ֣י7×
- פִּֽי\־6×
- פִי\־6×
- פִֽי/ךָ\׃6×
- פִֽ/י\׃6×
Key Verses
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Genesis 4:11
Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
The earth's mouth receiving blood symbolizes how violence cries out for justice, showing that actions have consequences that cannot be silenced.
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Exodus 4:11
Yahweh said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, Yahweh?
God asks who made man’s mouth to reassure Moses that He controls speech and can empower even the hesitant speaker.
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Exodus 4:15
You shall speak to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with your mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do.
God promises to put words in Aaron’s mouth, demonstrating that divine authority flows through human instruments when they are yielded to Him.
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Genesis 45:12
Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.
Joseph identifies himself by saying it is his mouth speaking, emphasizing the personal and authentic nature of his revelation to his brothers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does peh mean in the Bible?
How is peh different from other Hebrew words for mouth?
Where does peh appear in Scripture?
Every Occurrence (400 verses across 33 books)
Genesis 20 verses
Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
Genesis 8:11The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the…
Genesis 24:57They said, “We will call the young lady, and ask her.”
Genesis 25:28Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
Genesis 29:2He looked, and saw a well in the field, and saw three flocks of sheep lying there by it. For out of that well they…
Genesis 29:3There all the flocks were gathered. They rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the…
Genesis 29:8They said, “We can’t, until all the flocks are gathered together, and they roll the stone from the well’s mouth. Then…
Genesis 29:10When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban, his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban, his mother’s brother, Jacob…
Genesis 34:26They killed Hamor and Shechem, his son, with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went…
Genesis 41:40You shall be over my house. All my people will be ruled according to your word. Only in the throne I will be greater…
Genesis 42:27As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey food in the lodging place, he saw his money. Behold, it was in the…
Genesis 43:7They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still…
Genesis 43:12and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it…
Genesis 43:21When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our…
Genesis 44:1He commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each…
Genesis 44:2Put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, with his grain money.” He did according to the word…
Genesis 44:8Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again to you out of the land of Canaan. How then…
Genesis 45:12Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.
Genesis 45:21The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision…
Genesis 47:12Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all of his father’s household with bread, according to the sizes of their…