פְּקַח־קוֹחַ
opening (of a dungeon), i.e. jail-delivery (figuratively, salvation for sin)
Definition
פְּקַח־קוֹחַ is a unique, intensive Hebrew noun meaning 'opening of the prison' or 'jail-delivery.' It appears only in Isaiah 61:1, where the prophet declares a mission 'to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.' The word powerfully combines the idea of a physical opening of a dungeon with the figurative concept of release from bondage. In its sole biblical use, it moves beyond a simple jailbreak to symbolize a profound, divinely orchestrated liberation, encompassing both national restoration from exile and spiritual salvation from sin.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 61:1. Its usage is entirely prophetic and messianic. The context is the proclamation of the Lord's anointed one (the Messiah), who brings a comprehensive deliverance that includes physical freedom for captives and spiritual release for the oppressed. There are no other patterns, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).
Etymology
The word is a rare, emphatic construction derived from the root פָּקַח (pāqach, H6491), which means 'to open' (especially the eyes). The form פְּקַח־קוֹחַ is a reduplicated or intensive pattern, emphasizing a complete and forceful opening. It likely developed from the concrete act of opening eyes or doors to this specific, powerful image of throwing open prison gates.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is directly quoted by Jesus in Luke 4:18 to define his own messianic mission. It connects physical liberation with spiritual salvation, showing that God's redemption addresses both earthly oppression and the bondage of sin. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the comprehensive nature of the deliverance promised by the Messiah—it is a total and authoritative release from every form of captivity.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, imprisonment was often a metaphor for exile, defeat, and subjugation. A royal 'opening of the prison' could refer to a king's amnesty or a conqueror releasing captives. For Israelites in exile, this term in Isaiah 61:1 would evoke powerful hopes of national restoration and a return from Babylonian captivity, which God frames as a grand act of liberation.
דְּרוֹר (derôr, H1865) — 'liberty, release'; often used for the Jubilee year's proclamation of freedom, focusing on legal and societal restoration. פְּדוּת (pᵉdûth, H6304) — 'redemption, ransom'; emphasizes the price paid or act of buying back from bondage.
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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