פִּנָּה (pin.nah)
pin.nah
Corner (Gate)
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 27 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pinneh refers to a corner, specifically the angle where two walls or structures meet. In the Old Testament, it appears frequently in descriptions of architecture and city planning, such as when Nehemiah records builders working near the "corner" of Jerusalem’s defenses (Nehemiah 3:24). It can also denote a fortified tower situated at these angles, serving as a strategic point for defense, as seen in Zephaniah 1:16.
Beyond physical structures, pinneh carries a metaphorical weight. It is used to describe a person who acts as a foundational support or a leader of high standing. For instance, Psalm 118:22 calls the rejected stone the "cornerstone," implying it holds the entire building together. Similarly, Zechariah 10:4 speaks of leaders emerging from Judah who will be like cornerstones, providing stability and strength to the community.
This word highlights the importance of structural integrity in biblical thought. Just as a corner determines the alignment and stability of a wall, a leader or a foundational figure provides direction and security for the people. The imagery connects physical construction with social and spiritual order, showing how essential these pivotal points are for maintaining wholeness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In biblical times, the corner was not just an architectural detail but a critical point of stability. When builders laid a foundation, the cornerstones determined the alignment of every wall that followed. This word reminds us that our lives are built on something solid. Just as a physical structure relies on its angles to stand firm against the wind, our faith finds its strength in the foundational truths we hold dear.
Scripture often uses this image to describe God’s care and order. Whether referring to the fortified towers of Jerusalem or the precious stone that holds a building together, pinneh points to security and purpose. It suggests that even in places we might overlook, there is divine intention. You are part of a larger design where every piece has value.
This perspective brings comfort when life feels unstable. The same God who oversees the construction of cities also attends to the details of your heart. Trust that you are being built with care, anchored in love and truth, secure in His enduring plan for your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 27 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ corner6×
- [the] corners of4×
- [the] corner of3×
- the/ corners2×
- corners/ its2×
- corner2×
- a corner of2×
- for/ a corner1×
- corners/ their1×
- corner/ its1×
- corner/ her1×
- a corner1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פִּנּ֣וֹת3×
- הַ/פִּנָּֽה\׃3×
- פִּנֹּתָ֔י/ו2×
- פִּנַּת\־2×
- פִּנּוֹתָ֔/ם1×
- פִּנָּתָֽ/הּ\׃1×
- פִּנָּֽה\׃1×
- פִּנָּ֣ה1×
- פִּנָּ֖ה1×
- פִּנָּ֑/הּ1×
- פִּנַּ֨ת1×
- פִּנַּ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 118:22
The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
This verse uses the term metaphorically to describe a rejected stone that becomes essential for holding the structure together, highlighting God's power to elevate what the world discards.
-
Nehemiah 3:31
After him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths to the house of the temple servants, and of the merchants, made repairs opposite the gate of Hammiphkad and to the ascent of the corner.
The text specifies repairs made 'to the ascent of the corner,' showing how this specific structural point was a known landmark in the city's restoration efforts.
-
Isaiah 28:16
Therefore the Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.
Here the word describes a 'precious cornerstone' laid by Yahweh in Zion, emphasizing stability and trust for those who believe in this foundation.
-
Job 38:6
What were its foundations fastened on? Or who laid its cornerstone,
God asks Job who laid its cornerstone during creation, using the term to illustrate divine wisdom and the intentional design of the earth's foundations.