פָּקַד (pa.qad)
pa.qad
to reckon: list; reckoning; to reckon: punish; to reckon: visit; to reckon: overseer; to reckon: missing
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 255 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb paqad carries a wide range of meanings centered on the idea of paying close attention to someone or something. It can mean to visit, as when God remembers His covenant with Israel, or to appoint someone to a position of authority. In military contexts, it refers to mustering troops for a census, emphasizing the careful counting and organization of people.
A significant nuance appears in how the word handles justice and care. The same root is used to describe God’s visitation in punishment when sin reaches its full measure, but also to describe His gracious intervention on behalf of the vulnerable. This duality shows that divine attention is not neutral; it brings either blessing or judgment depending on the context.
The word appears frequently in Numbers and Jeremiah, often highlighting how God actively engages with history. Translators sometimes render it as "visit," "appoint," or "punish," reflecting its flexibility. The underlying concept remains consistent: to turn one’s focused attention toward a person or situation, resulting in a decisive outcome.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word reminds us that God’s attention is never casual or distant. When Scripture speaks of God visiting Sarah or the Israelites in Egypt, it describes a deliberate turning of His focus toward their specific needs. He sees what is done to them and acts with purpose. This brings comfort because it means your struggles are not overlooked by the One who holds all things together.
At the same time, this word carries weight regarding justice. It appears in contexts where God counts sins or appoints leaders, showing that He takes responsibility seriously. Whether He is visiting with grace to bless a home or addressing iniquity to restore order, His actions are grounded in truth. We can trust that His decisions are never arbitrary but flow from His perfect character.
Ultimately, this verb invites us to rest in the certainty of His care. Just as Joseph’s brothers were assured that God would visit them again, we can look forward to His faithfulness in our own lives. It is a promise that He remains engaged with history and with you personally.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 255 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- enrolled [men]/ their20×
- and/ enrolled [men]/ their13×
- and/ I will visit [judgment]10×
- to/ enrolled [men]/ their8×
- he had appointed7×
- he enrolled7×
- those/ enrolled6×
- he will visit6×
- and/ he mustered6×
- [were] [the] enrolled [men] of6×
- and/ I will visit5×
- [am] about to visit [judgment]5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּקֻדֵי/הֶ֖ם12×
- וּ/פְקֻדֵי/הֶ֑ם9×
- לִ/פְקֻדֵי/הֶ֑ם7×
- יִפְקֹ֣ד5×
- פָּקַ֤ד4×
- פָקַ֤ד4×
- וַ/יִּפְקֹ֣ד4×
- פָּקַ֨ד3×
- פָּקַ֖דְתִּי3×
- פְּקוּדֵ֥י3×
- פְּקוּדֵ֣י3×
- יִפָּקֵ֖ד3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 21:1
Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.
This verse uses the word to describe God’s faithful fulfillment of His promise to Sarah, showing His personal attention to her long-awaited child.
-
Exodus 3:16
Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.
Here the term signals God’s active intervention on behalf of the Israelites, confirming that He has seen their suffering and is ready to act.
-
Genesis 50:24
Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
Joseph uses this word to express confidence that God will remember His covenant and deliver his family from Egypt, linking divine visitation to rescue.
-
Exodus 32:34
Now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
In this context, the word highlights God’s justice, indicating that He will hold people accountable for their sin when the time is right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word paqad mean?
Why does the same word mean both blessing and punishment?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
How is this different from simply knowing something?
Every Occurrence (255 verses across 27 books)
Genesis 7 verses
Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.
Genesis 39:4Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he…
Genesis 39:5From the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, Yahweh blessed the Egyptian’s house for…
Genesis 40:4The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days.
Genesis 41:34Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt’s…
Genesis 50:24Joseph said to his brothers, “I am dying, but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land…
Genesis 50:25Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones…