פָּטַר
to cleave or burst through, i.e. (causatively) to emit, whether literal or figurative (gape)
Definition
The Hebrew verb פָּטַר (pâṭar) fundamentally means 'to break open' or 'to burst through.' This core idea of a forceful opening or release is applied in several ways. In a literal sense, it describes the act of letting something out, such as an arrow being shot from a bow (Psalm 22:7). Figuratively, it can mean to set free or dismiss, as when Saul 'let fly' a spear at David (1 Samuel 19:10) or when the Levites were instructed not to let anyone enter the temple (2 Chronicles 23:8). It also carries the sense of initiating a quarrel, picturing it as 'opening' or 'letting loose' conflict (Proverbs 17:14).
Biblical Usage
פָּטַר is used only four times in the Old Testament, but its usage spans narrative, poetry, and wisdom literature. In historical books, it describes a physical release or dismissal (1 Samuel 19:10; 2 Chronicles 23:8). In poetic and wisdom contexts, it is used metaphorically: Psalm 22:7 uses it for the mocking 'gaping' of mouths, and Proverbs 17:14 warns against 'letting out' or starting a quarrel, comparing it to releasing water from a breached dam.
Etymology
פָּטַר is a primitive root. Its core meaning relates to the physical act of splitting open or breaking through. Cognates in other Semitic languages support this sense of opening or releasing. The development from a literal 'burst open' to meanings like 'dismiss,' 'shoot,' or 'start' (a quarrel) is a natural metaphorical extension of the core idea of a forceful opening creating a release.
Semantic Range
While not a major theological term, פָּטַר enriches our understanding of biblical imagery. In Proverbs 17:14, it powerfully illustrates the danger of conflict, comparing it to a breached dam—once opened, it is hard to stop. In Psalm 22:7, it contributes to the visceral picture of Christ's suffering, describing the scornful 'gaping' of onlookers. Understanding this verb's sense of forceful release adds depth to these passages.
The imagery in Proverbs 17:14 relies on the immediate cultural understanding of water management. A small breach in an irrigation channel or dam could lead to catastrophic flooding, making 'letting out' water a potent metaphor for the uncontrollable nature of a quarrel once initiated. This concrete, agricultural image would have been instantly recognizable to the original audience.
שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — a more general term for 'send out' or 'let go,' without the inherent connotation of forceful opening or bursting. פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — means 'to open' in a general sense, often for doors or ears, but lacks the specific nuance of a violent or sudden breach.
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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