פָּעוּ
Pau or Pai, a place in Edom
Definition
Pau (also spelled Pai) is a proper noun referring to a city in the ancient kingdom of Edom. It is mentioned as the hometown of Hadar (or Hadad), one of the kings who ruled over Edom before any Israelite monarchy existed (Genesis 36:39, 1 Chronicles 1:50). The name itself means 'screaming' or 'crying out,' likely describing the location's character or a notable event associated with it. As a place name, it signifies a specific, though now unidentifiable, geographic location within the territory of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau.
Biblical Usage
The word פָּעוּ (Pau) is used exclusively as a proper noun for a place name. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in genealogical and historical lists of Edomite kings. In Genesis 36:39, it is recorded in the account of the Edomite kings that concludes the 'generations of Esau.' The same record is repeated in the chronicler's genealogy in 1 Chronicles 1:50. Its usage is strictly geographical and historical, providing a detail about the origin of King Hadar.
Etymology
The name Pau derives from the Hebrew root פָּעָה (pāʿâ, H6463), which means 'to cry out,' 'scream,' or 'shout.' It is related to the variant form פָּעִי (Pāʿî). As a place name, it is an example of a location being named after an action or sound, a common practice in Semitic cultures. The meaning suggests the place may have been associated with a loud noise, perhaps from wildlife, wind, or a significant event that occurred there.
Semantic Range
While Pau itself is a minor geographic detail, its inclusion in Scripture underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereign oversight over all nations, not just Israel. The detailed records of Edomite kings and cities (Genesis 36) demonstrate that God's historical providence extends to the descendants of Esau. For the modern reader, it enriches the understanding of the Bible as a book grounded in real history and geography, affirming the trustworthiness of even its minor historical claims.
In the ancient Near East, place names often conveyed descriptive or commemorative meanings. A name meaning 'screaming' might refer to a location known for the cries of animals, the sound of strong winds, or even a historical battle cry. As part of Edom, Pau existed in a rugged, mountainous region southeast of the Dead Sea. Its mention alongside other Edomite cities places it within the network of tribal kingdoms and city-states that interacted with, and were often in conflict with, ancient Israel.
Edom (אֱדוֹם, H123) — The regional kingdom containing Pau. / Sela (סֶלַע, H5554) — Another major city/stronghold in Edom, distinct from Pau.
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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