פָּ֑עוּ (pa.u)
pa.u
Pau
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Pa’u refers to a city in the region of Edom, identified in Scripture as the capital of King Hadad. This location appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within genealogical records that trace the lineage of Edomite rulers (Genesis 36:35 and 1 Chronicles 1:46).
The name itself carries a unique etymological weight, often interpreted to mean "bleating." While the exact geographical site remains uncertain to modern archaeologists, the linguistic root suggests a connection to pastoral life or perhaps a local deity associated with flocks. Its appearance in these texts serves primarily to anchor the historical narrative of Edom’s royal line rather than to describe a major political center.
Because Pa’u is mentioned solely in lists of kings and descendants, it highlights the biblical author's attention to specific historical details. The word does not carry theological instruction but functions as a marker of identity and lineage, preserving the memory of Edom’s governance during the time of Israel’s early monarchy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read through the long lists of names in Genesis and Chronicles, it is easy to feel disconnected from these ancient records. Yet, God’s attention to detail extends even to the royal line of Edom, a nation often in tension with Israel. The mention of Pau reminds us that history is not random; every city, king, and family name is recorded by a God who knows all things.
This specific entry highlights Hadar, an Edomite ruler, anchoring his reign in a real place. While we may not know the exact location today, the text preserves this memory. It shows that no human lineage is too obscure for Scripture to note. This precision invites us to trust that God’s historical record is reliable and complete.
For your faith, this means you can trust the Bible’s accuracy in all its parts, not just the famous stories. The same God who records distant kings also cares for your life. You are known by name, just as Hadar was recorded in his time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Pau1×
- [was] Pai1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פָּ֑עוּ1×
- פָּ֑עִי1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:39
Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
This verse identifies Pau as the city of Hadar, linking the location directly to a specific Edomite ruler and providing the earliest biblical record of this place.