פֹּת (pot)
pot
hinge
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pot refers to the pivot or socket that allows a door to swing open and closed. In the biblical world, where heavy wooden doors rested on vertical pins rather than modern hinges, this small metal or stone component was essential for movement. The word appears in only two verses, describing the physical mechanism of access in significant structures.
Its usage highlights the contrast between security and vulnerability. In 1 Kings 7:50, pot describes the gold fittings on Solomon’s temple doors, signifying royal grandeur and divine presence. Conversely, Isaiah 45:2 uses the term metaphorically when God commands Cyrus to break open these "gates" or sockets, symbolizing the dismantling of Babylonian defenses. The image suggests that even the most fortified entry points are subject to external force.
While the exact construction varied, the core meaning remains consistent: a point of rotation and connection. Translators often render it as "hinge" or "socket," capturing its role as the quiet, unseen part that enables visible action. The word serves as a tangible reminder that access depends on these small, sturdy details.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pot refers to a hinge or socket, the small but vital component that allows a heavy door to swing open. In ancient times, these metal fittings were often hidden from view, yet they determined whether a space remained secure or became accessible. This quiet mechanism reminds us that significant movement often depends on unseen details.
In 1 Kings 7:50, gold hinges adorned the temple doors, marking them as places of divine presence and royal honor. Conversely, Isaiah uses the image of broken gates to show how God can dismantle even the strongest defenses. For your faith, this suggests that access to God’s purposes is not blocked by our strength, but opened by His will.
When you feel stuck or closed off, remember that the pivot point matters more than the weight of the door. God holds the keys to every entrance in your life. You can trust that He opens what is meant for your good and closes what is not.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- forehead/ their1×
- and/ the/ sockets1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פָּתְ/הֵ֥ן1×
- וְ/הַ/פֹּת֡וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 7:50
the cups, the snuffers, the basins, the spoons, and the fire pans, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, of the temple, of gold.
This verse highlights the use of gold hinges for the temple doors, emphasizing their role in marking the sacred space as a place of divine presence.