פּוּג (pug)

The Hebrew word pug describes a physical numbness or feebleness, often signaling that limbs have lost their strength and become helpless. In the Qal stem, it simply denotes being weak or faint, while the Niphal form emphasizes the sensation of being benumbed or crushed by weight. This rare term appears only twice in Scripture, creating a striking contrast between human frailty and divine power.

In Genesis 24:67, Isaac’s hand is described as growing numb as he receives Rebekah, capturing the overwhelming emotion of that moment. Conversely, Habakkuk 3:16 uses the Niphal to describe the prophet’s physical reaction to God’s majesty; his legs tremble and he becomes benumbed under the weight of the vision. Translators typically render pug as "feeble," "numb," or "tremble." The term highlights how intense spiritual encounters or profound emotional shifts can manifest in tangible, physical weakness.

This word serves as a reminder that encountering the divine or experiencing deep joy can leave even the strongest person physically overwhelmed. It invites us to acknowledge our human limits without shame, recognizing that such moments often precede a deeper reliance on God’s sustaining grace.