קֶרֶן הַפּוּךְ
Keren-hap-Puk, one of Job's daughters
Definition
Keren-hap-Puk is the name of one of Job's three daughters born after his restoration from suffering (Job 42:14). The name is a compound Hebrew phrase meaning 'horn of eye-paint' or 'horn of cosmetic.' It is a proper noun used exclusively as a personal name in the biblical text. The name appears only in Job 42:14, where it is listed alongside her sisters, Jemimah and Keziah, following the account of God's double restoration of Job's fortunes.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 42:14, as the name of Job's third daughter. It functions solely as a proper noun for personal identification within the narrative of Job's restored family. There are no other contextual uses or patterns, as it is a unique name given to a specific individual.
Etymology
The name derives from two Hebrew words: 'qeren' (H7161), meaning 'horn,' which was often a container made from animal horn, and 'pûk' (H6320), meaning 'eye-paint' or 'cosmetic' (a black powder like kohl). Thus, the name literally means 'horn of cosmetic,' likely referring to a small horn vessel used to hold eye makeup. The name is a vivid, symbolic compound.
Semantic Range
The name Keren-hap-Puk, along with her sisters' names (Jemimah meaning 'dove' and Keziah meaning 'cinnamon'), symbolizes the beauty, dignity, and restored blessing God bestowed upon Job after his profound suffering. These richly descriptive names contrast sharply with Job's earlier losses, highlighting the theme of divine restoration and the double portion of blessing (Job 42:10). The name's association with cosmetic adornment may subtly point to the restored joy, prosperity, and honor in Job's latter life, enriching the reader's appreciation for God's gracious conclusion to the story.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, a 'horn' (qeren) was a common container for liquids, ointments, or powders, often made from an actual animal horn. Eye-paint (pûk) was a black cosmetic used for adornment and protection from the sun. Therefore, the name 'horn of cosmetic' would evoke an image of a valuable and beautiful personal item. Naming a child after such an object likely conveyed wishes for beauty, value, and refinement.
This is a unique proper noun with no direct synonyms. As a name meaning 'horn of cosmetic,' related concepts include: pûk (H6320) — the 'eye-paint' itself; qeren (H7161) — the 'horn' as a container or symbol of strength.
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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