פּוּאָה (pu.ah)
pu.ah
Puah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Puah, or its variant Puvah, appears in the Hebrew Bible as a personal identifier for two distinct figures within the tribe of Issachar. The first is a son of the patriarch Issachar, listed among those who went down to Egypt with Jacob in Genesis 46:13. His descendants are later enumerated in Numbers 26:23 under the clan name Punite, preserving the family line through the wilderness generations.
A second man named Puah is identified as the father of Tola, who served as a judge in Israel following the period of Abimelech (Judges 10:1). While the sources note that the name likely means "splendid," its primary biblical function is genealogical. It anchors these individuals within the tribal structure of Israel, marking their place in the history of the tribes before and during the settlement of the land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Puah appears in Scripture as a quiet anchor within the tribe of Issachar. Genesis 46:13 lists him among Jacob’s sons who went down to Egypt, while 1 Chronicles 7:1 confirms his place in the family record. These genealogies remind us that God keeps careful account of every individual, no matter how briefly they appear on the biblical stage.
Later, Judges 10:1 introduces another Puah as the father of Tola, a judge who rescued Israel. Though we know little of his personal life, his role as a patriarch connects generations together. This continuity shows that faithfulness is often passed down through families, linking past promises to present realities.
For your own walk, these names offer comfort. You are part of a larger story written by God. Your place in His family matters, even when it feels small or unnoticed. Trust that He remembers you just as He remembered Puah and his descendants.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Puah2×
- of/ Puah1×
- Puah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פּוּאָ֛ה1×
- לְ/פֻוָ֕ה1×
- וּ/פוּאָ֛ה1×
- וּ/פֻוָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:13
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Iob, and Shimron.
This verse records Puah’s entry into Egypt, establishing his family’s presence in the nation’s foundational history.
-
Judges 10:1
After Abimelech, Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim.
Here Puah is identified as the father of Tola, linking the tribal lineage to a specific leader who delivered Israel.
-
I Chronicles 7:1
Of the sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
This chronicler’s list reaffirms Puah’s place in Issachar, showing the enduring importance of family records in preserving identity.