פֶּשַׂע
a stride
Definition
The Hebrew noun פֶּשַׂע (pesaʻ) refers to a single step or stride taken by a person. It denotes a measured, deliberate movement of the foot, often implying a short distance or a specific, intentional act of walking. In its sole biblical occurrence in 1 Samuel 20:3, it is used metaphorically to describe the smallest possible increment of space or separation, emphasizing extreme proximity. The word carries the sense of a physical boundary created by one's movement.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 20:3. In this context, David uses it in a powerful oath to Jonathan: 'there is but a step between me and death.' Here, 'step' (פֶּשַׂע) is employed metaphorically, not to describe literal walking, but to convey the imminent and extreme danger David faces from King Saul. It poetically expresses how close he is to being killed.
Etymology
פֶּשַׂע (pesaʻ) is a noun derived from the root verb פָּשַׂע (pāsaʻ, H6585), which means 'to step' or 'to stride.' The noun form specifically denotes the act or result of that stepping. Cognate words in other Semitic languages also relate to the foot or stepping, confirming its core meaning of a single footfall or stride.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word is theologically significant for its role in highlighting the themes of covenant loyalty and divine providence. In 1 Samuel 20:3, David's declaration of being 'a step from death' underscores the grave peril from which God repeatedly delivers him, fulfilling His promise of kingship. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading by emphasizing the palpable, immediate danger David faced and the fragility of human life under God's sovereign protection.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, an oath invoking the smallest measurable distance—like a single step—was a culturally recognized way to express utmost seriousness and the truth of a dire situation. It communicated that the threat was not abstract but immediate and physically real.
צַעַד (tsaʻad, H6806) — a more general term for a step or pace, often used for marching or procession. פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — can mean a foot, step, or time/occurrence, focusing more on the impact or repetition of the step.
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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