פַּתְרֻסִים (pat.ru.si)
pat.ru.si
Pathrusim
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The noun Pathrusim refers to a group identified as descendants of Pathrus, an early figure in the genealogies of Genesis and Chronicles. The term functions as a gentilic, marking people from a specific region rather than just individuals. In the biblical text, these people are listed among other ancient groups linked to Egypt, such as the Ludim and Anamim.
Lexical sources connect this name to Pathros, which means "region of the south." This suggests the Pathrusim were inhabitants of Upper Egypt, the southern part of the Nile Valley. The word appears only twice in Scripture, specifically in Genesis 10:14 and 1 Chronicles 1:12, where it helps map the spread of nations after the flood.
Its significance lies in its role within these family trees. By placing the Pathrusim alongside other groups like the Casluhim and Caphtorim, the text situates them geographically and historically within the broader ancient Near East. The name itself serves as a marker of origin, pointing back to a southern Egyptian homeland for this particular lineage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Bible often traces human history through family lines, showing how different peoples spread across the earth after the flood. The Pathrusim appear in these lists as descendants of Pathrus, linking them to a specific region in southern Egypt known as Pathros. This detail helps us see God’s care for every nation and tribe, recording their origins even when they are far from Israel.
For your faith, this reminds you that no group is forgotten by God. Even ancient peoples mentioned only briefly in genealogies are part of His broader story. When we read these names, we are invited to trust that God knows every person and place, weaving them into a history that leads to Christ.
These records ground our belief in the reality of Scripture. They show that God’s plan includes all humanity, not just one line. This gives us confidence that His word is true and reliable, pointing us toward the hope we share with believers everywhere.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] Pathrusites2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַּתְרֻסִ֞ים2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:14
Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim.
This verse places the Pathrusim among other groups descending from Mizraim, showing their role in the post-flood dispersion of nations.
-
I Chronicles 1:12
Pathrusim, Casluhim (where the Philistines came from), and Caphtorim.
The Chronicler repeats this lineage to confirm the historical continuity of Israel’s ancestors and their connections to neighboring regions.