פּוּעָה (pu.ah)
pu.ah
Puah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Puah, meaning "splendid" or "beautiful," appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, identifying one of the two midwives who defied Pharaoh’s order to kill Hebrew newborn boys (Exodus 1:15). This single occurrence places her at the very beginning of the Exodus narrative, where her courage helps preserve the Israelite people.
While the text does not elaborate on her character beyond this act of disobedience to tyranny, the name itself carries a sense of dignity. Along with Shiphrah, Puah stands as an early example of civil disobedience in Scripture, prioritizing divine law over royal decree. Her brief mention highlights how ordinary women played crucial roles in God’s unfolding plan for liberation.
Because the name means "splendid," some readers see a poetic irony: her true beauty was revealed not in appearance but in moral courage. The sources note that this is her only biblical appearance, making her a quiet but vital figure in the story of Israel’s birth as a nation.
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 just once in Scripture, yet it carries a weight far beyond its brevity. Meaning "splendid" or "beautiful," this title belongs to one of the midwives who stood against Pharaoh’s cruel decree. In a moment where silence would have been safer, she chose obedience to God over compliance with tyranny. Her story reminds us that true beauty is not found in outward appearance but in the courage to do what is right.
For your own life, this word offers a quiet encouragement. You may never face a royal command to harm others, but you likely encounter moments where integrity costs you something. Puah shows that God sees and honors those who protect the vulnerable, even when they are outnumbered. Her "splendid" legacy was built on a single act of faithful resistance.
This brief mention invites us to look at our own small roles in God’s larger story. We do not need to be famous to be significant. By standing for justice and mercy in our daily interactions, we reflect the same spirit that preserved Israel’s beginnings. May you find strength in knowing that God values your faithfulness, no matter how quiet it may seem.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Puah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פּוּעָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 1:15
The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah,
This verse introduces Puah alongside Shiphrah, establishing her identity as a Hebrew midwife who would soon defy Pharaoh’s order.