פִּתֹם (pi.tom)
pi.tom
Pithom
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Pithom is a proper noun referring to one of the store-cities built by the Israelites under Egyptian slavery, as recorded in Exodus 1:11. The name itself translates to "the city of justice" or "house of Atum," linking the location to Egyptian religious and administrative structures.
Its sole biblical occurrence highlights the harsh reality of forced labor. The text notes that Pharaoh appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to afflict them with burdens, specifically assigning them to build Pithom alongside Rameses. This detail underscores the strategic importance of these cities as centers for storing supplies and projecting royal power.
As a geographical marker, Pithom serves to ground the Exodus narrative in a tangible historical context. It illustrates how the Israelites were compelled to contribute to the empire’s infrastructure, turning their labor into a tool of oppression before their eventual deliverance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Pithom means "house of Atum," a reminder that even in Egypt, the Israelites were forced to build for gods who offered no help. This single mention in Exodus shows how oppression often uses our own strength against us. Pharaoh wanted their labor to fuel his empire, turning their hands into tools for his pride.
Yet this detail grounds the story in real history. It reminds us that God sees the specific burdens we carry. Whether it is a demanding job or a heavy responsibility, your work matters to Him. He does not ignore the weight you bear, even when it feels like it is building something for someone else.
Hope comes because this labor did not have the final word. The same God who saw their toil in Pithom later delivered them. Your current struggles are known, and they do not define your future. Rest in the promise that He brings freedom from every chain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Pithom1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פִּתֹ֖ם1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 1:11
Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
This verse identifies Pithom as one of the two specific store-cities built under forced labor, highlighting the concrete reality of Israelite oppression.