פְּקוֹד

Pekod, a symbolic name for Babylon

Definition

Pekod is a symbolic name for Babylon used in prophetic judgment oracles. It derives from the Hebrew root meaning 'to punish' or 'to visit,' and thus carries the sense of 'Punishment' or 'Visitation.' In Jeremiah 50:21 and Ezekiel 23:23, Pekod is listed among nations and peoples God will use as instruments of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem. The term is not a standard geographical name but a prophetic label emphasizing Babylon's role as an agent of divine punishment, which will itself later face judgment.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in prophetic contexts of judgment. It appears only twice: in Jeremiah 50:21, where God commands the destruction of the land of 'Merathaim and Pekod,' and in Ezekiel 23:23, where Pekod is listed among the Babylonian allies who will come against the unfaithful 'Oholibah' (Jerusalem). In both instances, Pekod is part of a list of hostile forces, underscoring the comprehensive nature of the coming divine judgment.

Etymology

Pekod (פְּקוֹד) is derived from the root פָּקַד (pāqad, H6485), which has a range of meanings including 'to attend to,' 'to visit,' 'to muster,' and 'to punish.' As a proper noun, Pekod personifies the concept of 'punishment' or 'visitation.' It functions as a symbolic name, transforming an abstract concept of divine action into a concrete representation of a nation used as an instrument of that action.

Semantic Range

Pekod is theologically significant as it embodies the biblical theme of God's sovereign use of nations to execute judgment. It highlights that even pagan empires like Babylon are under God's control and serve His purposes (Isaiah 10:5-7). The name also foreshadows the principle that instruments of judgment are not exempt from God's justice themselves, as seen in the prophecies against Babylon (Jeremiah 50-51). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing the layered, prophetic wordplay the biblical authors used to communicate God's sovereignty in history.

In its original context, Pekod would have been understood by the Hebrew audience not primarily as a place name but as a prophetic title loaded with meaning. It likely referred to an actual tribe or region associated with Babylon (possibly the Puqudu people mentioned in Assyrian records), but the biblical authors leveraged the phonetic similarity to the Hebrew word for 'punishment' to create a powerful rhetorical and theological point. This practice of using meaningful names (paronomasia) was common in Hebrew prophecy.

שְׁפָט (shᵉphāṭ, H8199) — A more general term for 'judgment' or 'justice,' whereas Pekod is a specific symbolic name embodying punishment. פָּקַד (pāqad, H6485) — The root verb meaning 'to visit' or 'to punish,' from which Pekod is directly derived.

Word Details

Scripture References