פּוּךְ (pukh)
pukh
color
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun pukh refers to a dark mineral pigment, specifically antimony or stibium, which was ground into powder for use as an eye cosmetic. In the ancient Near East, this substance served as both eyeliner and eyeshadow, creating a striking black rim around the eyes that enhanced their appearance.
Its occurrences are concentrated in prophetic literature, particularly in Jeremiah and Isaiah, where it appears in passages describing the adornment of women. For instance, Jeremiah 4:30 mentions painting the eyes with antimony, using this vivid image to illustrate futile attempts at beauty amidst judgment. The word highlights a cultural practice where such cosmetics were common markers of vanity or allure.
Translators typically render pukh as "antimony," "kohl," or "eye paint." While modern readers might view these items merely as makeup, in their original context they carried significant social weight, often associated with seduction or pride. The biblical authors frequently employ this imagery to critique superficiality, contrasting external decoration with inner spiritual condition.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word pukh refers to a dark mineral pigment, typically antimony or kohl, which ancient people ground and applied to their eyelids. In the cultural context of the Bible, this was not just about fashion; it was a powerful symbol of vanity and superficial beauty. The prophets used this image to show how people might try to hide their inner brokenness with external decorations, hoping to impress others or distract from their true condition.
When we read passages like Jeremiah 4:30, we see God addressing those who paint their eyes with pukh while ignoring the state of their hearts. The text makes it clear that no amount of external adornment can fix internal despair or earn divine favor. This reminds us that our worth is not found in how we look to the world, but in our relationship with God.
Your faith does not require you to prove your value through appearance or status. Instead, you are invited to bring your unadorned self before God. He sees past the surface and loves you for who you truly are. Let this truth free you from the pressure to perform or prettify your life, allowing you to rest in the security of being known and accepted by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with <the>/ eye-paint2×
- in <the>/ antimony1×
- antimony1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פ֣וּךְ1×
- בַּ/פּוּךְ֙1×
- בַּ/פּ֤וּךְ1×
- בַ/פּוּךְ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 4:30
You, when you are made desolate, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with scarlet, though you deck yourself with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with makeup, you make yourself beautiful in vain. Your lovers despise you. They seek your life.
This verse uses the act of enlarging eyes with pukh to illustrate the futility of trying to appear beautiful or secure when one’s heart is distant from God.
-
II Kings 9:30
When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window.
Jezebel’s application of pukh here highlights her attempt to maintain an image of power and allure even as her reign collapses, showing the word’s association with pride.
-
I Chronicles 29:2
Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, the silver for the things of silver, the bronze for the things of bronze, iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, also onyx stones, stones to be set, stones for inlaid work of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
In this context, pukh (rendered as 'various colors') refers to the precious stones used in the temple’s construction, shifting the focus from personal vanity to worship and devotion.