פִּימָה
obesity
Definition
פִּימָה (pîymâh) refers to a state of excessive bodily fat or obesity. In its single biblical occurrence in Job 15:27, it describes the physical condition of the wicked, who are portrayed as having grown fat and heavy. The word conveys more than mere physical description; it symbolizes the prosperity and security that the wicked person has amassed, leading to a hardened, arrogant demeanor. This condition is presented not as a blessing but as a sign of self-indulgence and a lack of dependence on God.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 15:27. It appears in the speech of Eliphaz, one of Job's friends, who is describing the arrogant wicked person. The context is a poetic discourse on the fate of the godless. The usage is metaphorical, using physical obesity to illustrate the spiritual and material 'heaviness' or grossness that comes from a life of self-reliance and rebellion against God.
Etymology
The noun פִּימָה (pîymâh) is likely derived from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to be fat' or 'to be plump.' It is related to the concept of physical fullness and thickness. Cognates in other Semitic languages support this meaning of fatness or obesity. The KJV's unique translation as 'collops' (meaning slices or folds of fat) captures this concrete sense of layered fatness.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word carries theological weight in the wisdom literature. It connects physical prosperity with spiritual danger, a common theme in Proverbs and the Psalms (e.g., Psalm 73:7). The imagery teaches that outward success and comfort can lead to inward pride, a hardened heart (Job 15:26), and a false sense of security independent from God. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job by highlighting the concrete metaphor Eliphaz uses to critique self-made security.
In the ancient Near East, obesity was rare and typically associated with great wealth and abundant food—luxuries available only to the elite or rulers. Therefore, 'fatness' could be a visible, cultural symbol of prosperity and power. However, the biblical wisdom tradition often subverts this, viewing such physical signifiers of success as potential spiritual pitfalls, as seen here in Job.
חֵלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — specifically refers to the fat or richest part, often of sacrifices or animals. שָׁמֵן (shamen, H8080) — means fat, rich, or robust, often used for fertile land or prosperous people in a more general or positive sense.
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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