פּוּאָה
Puah or Puvvah, the name of two Israelites
Definition
פּוּאָה (Pûwʼâh) is a proper noun referring to two distinct male Israelites in the Old Testament. First, it refers to a son of Issachar and grandson of Jacob, listed among the family who went to Egypt (Genesis 46:13). This same individual is also named as the founder of the Punite clan in the census of the Israelites (Numbers 26:23). Second, it is the name of the father of the judge Tola, from the tribe of Issachar (Judges 10:1). A parallel genealogical record in 1 Chronicles 7:1 also lists a son of Issachar named Puah, likely referring to the same foundational figure.
Biblical Usage
The name is used exclusively in genealogical and census contexts within the historical books. It appears in the foundational genealogy of Jacob's family in Genesis 46:13, in the military census of Numbers 26:23, in the introduction of a judge in Judges 10:1, and in a tribal genealogy in 1 Chronicles 7:1. All instances serve to trace lineage, particularly within the tribe of Issachar.
Etymology
The name likely derives from the root פָּאָה (pā'â, H6284), meaning 'to blow, to scatter,' or 'a blast.' Some lexicons suggest it could imply 'mouth' or 'speech,' relating to an act of blowing. As a personal name, it was probably descriptive or aspirational, though its exact nuance for the bearers is unclear.
Semantic Range
As a personal name with no direct narrative attached, פּוּאָה holds minimal independent theological significance. Its importance lies in its role within the genealogical records that God uses to preserve the lineage of His people, particularly the tribe of Issachar. Understanding it as a name underscores the value Scripture places on individuals within the covenant community, even those only mentioned in lists, as part of God's faithful preservation of Israel's identity.
In ancient Israelite culture, personal names often carried meaning related to circumstances, hopes, or characteristics. While the precise reason for naming a child פּוּאָה is unknown, it fits the pattern of using words from nature or action as names. Its use across multiple generations (Genesis, Judges) shows the enduring importance of familial and tribal identity.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Other Israelite names from the tribe of Issachar include תּוֹלָע (Tôlāʻ, H8439) — the name of Puah's son, meaning 'worm' or 'scarlet'.
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.
Full methodology & sources →