פְּדָהצוּר
Pedahtsur, an Israelite
Definition
Pedahtsur is the name of an Israelite leader from the tribe of Manasseh during the wilderness wanderings. He was the father of Gamaliel, who served as the tribal chief representing Manasseh (Numbers 1:10, 2:20). As a leader, Pedahtsur's role included participating in the census, organizing the tribal camp, and presenting offerings at the dedication of the tabernacle (Numbers 7:54, 7:59). His name appears consistently in these administrative and religious contexts related to the early organization of Israel.
Biblical Usage
The name Pedahtsur is used exclusively in the book of Numbers, specifically in chapters 1, 2, 7, and 10. It appears only in the context of tribal leadership and the census taken at Sinai. Each occurrence lists him as the father of Gamaliel, the prince of Manasseh, connecting his identity directly to his son's official role (e.g., Numbers 1:10, 10:23). The usage is formal and administrative, documenting the structure of the Israelite camp.
Etymology
The name Pedahtsur is a compound Hebrew word derived from פָּדָה (pādâ, H6299), meaning 'to ransom' or 'to redeem,' and צוּר (tsûr, H6697), meaning 'rock,' often a metaphor for God. Thus, the name means 'the Rock (God) has ransomed' or 'Redeemer is (my) Rock.' It is a theophoric name, incorporating a divine title to express faith in God's redemptive power.
Semantic Range
The name Pedahtsur is theologically significant as a personal confession of God's nature. It combines two key attributes of God: His role as Redeemer (from the Exodus) and His steadfast, protective nature as a Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4). For modern readers, understanding this name enriches the biblical narrative by showing how individual Israelites embedded core truths about God's character and saving acts into their very identities, even during the wilderness period.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaningful declarations about God or circumstances. A name like Pedahtsur, given to someone of the exodus generation, likely served as a living reminder of God's redemption from Egypt and His enduring strength. The prominence of his son as a tribal prince suggests this family held a position of honor and responsibility within the community.
Pedahel (Pᵉdāh'ēl, H6300) — Another theophoric name meaning 'God has ransomed'; a leader from the tribe of Naphtali (Numbers 34:28).
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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