פֶּ֫שַׂע (pe.sa)
pe.sa
step
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun peṣaʿ is a rare word appearing only once in the Old Testament, found in 1 Samuel 20:3. In this specific context, it translates simply to "step." Jonathan uses it when asking David to swear that he will not cut off his kindness to Jonathan’s house even after Saul dies, promising that he will not remove any trace of their friendship.
Its scarcity in Scripture means the word does not carry a wide range of theological nuances or extended metaphorical meanings. It functions as a concrete term for physical movement or position. Translators typically render it straightforwardly as "step" or "place," reflecting its literal sense of where one stands or moves.
Because it occurs in such limited numbers, the word serves as a precise marker of location rather than a concept with deep symbolic weight. Its single occurrence anchors the narrative of David and Jonathan’s covenant, highlighting the physical reality of their separation and the enduring nature of their bond despite political upheaval.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word peṣaʿ appears just once in Scripture, marking a literal step or place in 1 Samuel 20:3. Jonathan uses it to describe how close David stands to death under Saul’s anger. This single term anchors their covenant, reminding us that even when danger feels immediate, loyalty and friendship endure beyond physical distance.
In your own life, moments of uncertainty can feel like standing on the edge of a precipice. Yet this verse shows that trust in God and steadfast relationships provide stability when circumstances shift. You are never alone in those narrow passages; divine faithfulness meets you exactly where you stand.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- about/ a step1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְ/פֶ֔שַׂע1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 20:3
David swore moreover, and said, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes; and he says, ‘Don’t let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved;’ but truly as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.”
Jonathan uses this rare word to emphasize the immediate physical danger David faces, highlighting the urgency of their covenant promise.