פָּסַח
to hop, i.e. (figuratively) skip over (or spare); by implication, to hesitate; also (literally) to limp, to dance
Definition
The verb פָּסַח (pāsaḥ) primarily means 'to pass over' or 'to spare,' most famously describing God's act of passing over the Israelite houses during the tenth plague in Egypt (Exodus 12:13, 23, 27). This foundational event gave the name 'Passover' (Pesach) to the annual feast. In a literal sense, the word can mean 'to limp' or 'to be lame,' as seen in the description of Mephibosheth, who was 'lame in both feet' (2 Samuel 4:4). In a figurative, non-physical sense, it describes spiritual hesitation or wavering, as when Elijah challenges the people, 'How long will you waver between two opinions?' (1 Kings 18:21).
Biblical Usage
פָּסַח is used in three main contexts. Its most significant usage is in the Exodus narrative, where it denotes God's protective act of 'passing over' (Exodus 12). It describes physical lameness in 2 Samuel 4:4. Finally, it is used metaphorically for indecision or limping between alternatives in a religious context in 1 Kings 18:21 and 26. It appears only seven times in the Old Testament.
Etymology
פָּסַח is a primitive root. Its basic meaning relates to 'limping' or 'hopping,' which visually connects to the idea of passing over something by skipping. The noun פֶּסַח (pesach, H6453), meaning 'Passover,' is directly derived from this verb, cementing the link between the action and the festival's name.
Semantic Range
This word is profoundly theological as it is central to the doctrine of redemption and atonement in the Old Testament. God 'passing over' the Israelites based on the blood of the lamb (Exodus 12:13) prefigures Christ's sacrificial death as the ultimate Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The concept highlights divine judgment, mercy, and the necessity of a blood covering for salvation. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the connection between the Exodus narrative and New Testament fulfillment.
In its original setting, the act of 'passing over' was understood within the framework of ancient Near Eastern plagues and divine judgment. The application of lamb's blood to the doorposts was a unique, God-ordained sign of covenant protection, distinguishing Israel from Egypt. The physical sense of 'limping' (2 Samuel 4:4) carried significant social stigma, often barring individuals from certain religious duties or military service.
עָבַר (‘āvar, H5674) — a more general term for 'to pass over' or 'cross,' without the specific connotations of sparing or limping. דָּלַג (dālag, H1801) — means 'to leap' or 'spring,' focusing on the motion itself rather than the protective or hesitant aspects of פָּסַח. צָלַע (ṣāla‘, H6760) — specifically means 'to limp' or 'be lame,' describing only the physical disability.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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