פָּשַׁח (pa.shach)
pa.shach
to tear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb pa.shach means to tear or rip something apart. In the Old Testament, it appears only once, in Lamentations 3:11. Here, the poet describes a profound sense of abandonment, using the image of being torn in pieces to convey deep personal suffering and distress.
This word is not used for tearing fabric in everyday contexts but carries a heavy emotional weight. It suggests a violent or forceful separation that causes pain. By choosing this specific term, the writer emphasizes the intensity of his anguish, portraying his spirit as if it were being ripped apart by grief.
Because it occurs so rarely, the word stands out for its raw power. It reminds readers that biblical language often uses physical violence to describe internal emotional states. In this single instance, the act of tearing becomes a vivid metaphor for the breaking heart of someone who feels cut off from God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew verb pa.shach means to tear or rip apart violently. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Lamentations 3:11. The poet uses this strong image to describe his deep suffering and sense of abandonment. He feels as though his spirit is being ripped by grief, showing how intense emotional pain can feel like physical violence.
This rare word reminds us that biblical language often uses physical images to express internal states. When you feel broken or torn by life’s hardships, this verse validates your experience. It shows that even in your darkest moments, your feelings are seen and understood within the text of Scripture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he has torn in pieces/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַֽ/יְפַשְּׁחֵ֖/נִי1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 3:11
He has turned away my path, and pulled me in pieces. He has made me desolate.
This single occurrence uses the verb to vividly portray the poet's feeling of being violently pulled apart by grief, emphasizing the intensity of his anguish.