פִּיד (pid)
pid
disaster
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pid denotes ruin or disaster, describing a state of catastrophic loss rather than simple misfortune. It appears only four times in the Old Testament, concentrating heavily in the wisdom literature and the book of Job where characters grapple with sudden suffering.
Its usage often carries a sense of irreversible destruction. In Job 12:5, it describes the contempt poured out on those whose lives have fallen into ruin, while Proverbs 24:22 warns that such disaster can come unexpectedly without divine intervention. The word captures the tangible reality of collapse, whether social standing or physical well-being.
Translators typically render pid as "disaster" or "ruin" to preserve its weight. Unlike terms for general trouble, this word points to a definitive breaking point, reflecting the ancient understanding of calamity as a total upheaval of one's circumstances.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word pid points to a sudden, irreversible collapse rather than simple bad luck. When Job uses it, he describes how quickly stability can vanish, leaving even the comfortable vulnerable to ruin. This reality reminds us that life’s foundations are fragile and often beyond our control.
In Proverbs, this same term warns that disaster can strike without warning, catching those who rely solely on their own understanding. Yet these texts do not leave us in despair. They acknowledge the weight of suffering while pointing toward a God who sees the brokenness we cannot fix ourselves.
When you face unexpected loss or feel your world tipping over, this word validates your pain. It does not minimize the tragedy but invites you to bring your honest grief before God, trusting that He holds what others have shattered.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ disaster/ his1×
- in/ [the] disaster of1×
- and/ [the] disaster of1×
- [belongs] to <the>/ disaster1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/פִּ֣יד1×
- וּ/פִ֥יד1×
- בְּ֝/פִיד֗/וֹ1×
- בְּ/פִ֣יד1×
Key Verses
-
Job 12:5
In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.
This verse shows how pid highlights the cruel irony that those who feel secure often lack empathy for those suddenly facing ruin.
-
Proverbs 24:22
for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both?
Here the word emphasizes the unpredictable nature of disaster, warning that sudden collapse can come from both divine judgment and human rebellion without prior sign.
-
Job 30:24
“However doesn’t one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?
Job uses this term to describe the visceral reality of falling into calamity, questioning how anyone can expect comfort when their very foundation has collapsed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word pid mean?
How is pid different from other words for trouble?
Why does Job use this word so frequently?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 2 books)
Job 3 verses
In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. It is ready for them whose foot slips.
Job 30:24“However doesn’t one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?
Job 31:29“If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him