Pate
What Is the Pate in the Bible?
The word 'pate' appears only once in the King James Version of the Bible, in Psalm 7:16: 'His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.' Here, 'pate' is an English poetic term for the head, specifically the crown or top of the skull. It translates the Hebrew word qodqod (קָדְקֹד), which is used elsewhere in Scripture to mean 'crown of the head,' 'scalp,' or 'top of the head.' The KJV translators chose 'pate' to create a clear poetic parallel with 'head' (ro'sh) in the previous line, a common feature of Hebrew poetry where synonyms are paired for emphasis and artistic effect.
The Hebrew Word Qodqod in Scripture
While 'pate' itself is rare, the underlying Hebrew term qodqod appears in several significant passages. It often denotes the highest or most vulnerable part of a person. In blessings, it signifies the place of honor and favor, as when Jacob blesses Joseph: 'The blessings of thy father... shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren' (Genesis 49:26; see also Deuteronomy 33:16). Conversely, in curses or judgments, it represents the point of affliction or shame. Deuteronomy 28:35 warns that disobedience will bring boils 'from the sole of thy foot unto the crown of thy head.' The term is also used literally for the physical scalp (Psalm 68:21) and appears in prophetic judgments (Isaiah 3:17; Jeremiah 48:45).
Poetic Function and Literary Context
The single use of 'pate' in Psalm 7 serves a specific literary purpose. Psalm 7 is a shiggaion (a passionate, erratic poem) of David, pleading for justice against persecutors. The psalm builds to a declaration of God's righteous judgment: the wicked fall into the pit they dig for others (Psalm 7:15-16). The parallelism of 'head' and 'pate' reinforces the completeness of this retribution—it lands squarely and fully on the perpetrator. This device, common in biblical poetry, uses slight variation in terms to deepen the meaning and enhance memorability. Other translations, like the ESV or NIV, render both terms as 'head' for clarity, but the KJV's choice preserves the poetic structure for English readers.
Theological Significance of the Crown of the Head
The concept of the 'crown of the head' (qodqod) carries theological weight beyond anatomy. It represents totality—whether in blessing (covering the entire person) or in cursing (afflicting the entire person). It is a point of vulnerability (2 Samuel 14:25 describes Absalom's hair weighed at the crown, later leading to his demise) and identity. In the ancient Near East, the head was the seat of honor and personality. For God's blessing or judgment to rest on the 'crown of the head' signifies it touching the core of one's being. This imagery finds a powerful inversion in the New Testament, where the 'crown' (stephanos) becomes a metaphor for eternal reward (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) and Christ's humiliation involved a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29).
Cultural and Historical Background
In the ancient world, the head was highly significant. Anointing the head with oil signified consecration and joy (Psalm 23:5). Covering the head could indicate mourning or submission. The 'crown of the head' was seen as the pinnacle of the body. Extra-biblical texts from Mesopotamia and Ugarit also use similar terms for 'skull' or 'top' in curses and blessings, showing this was a shared cultural concept for expressing completeness. Archaeologically, treatments for head wounds are detailed in Egyptian medical papyri, indicating the recognized importance and vulnerability of this body part. The biblical usage fits within this broader context, employing a physically understood term to convey spiritual realities.
Biblical Context
The term 'pate' appears only in Psalm 7:16 (KJV) as a translation of the Hebrew 'qodqod.' This Hebrew word, however, is used in multiple books including Genesis, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. It functions primarily in poetic and prophetic texts, often in parallel structures. It appears in foundational blessings (Genesis 49:26; Deuteronomy 33:16), covenantal curses (Deuteronomy 28:35), descriptions of physical affliction (Job 2:7), and oracles of judgment (Jeremiah 48:45). Its role is to emphasize the totality or focal point of a condition—be it favor, affliction, or shame—upon a person.
Theological Significance
The concept of the 'pate' or 'crown of the head' teaches about the completeness and precision of God's justice and blessing. It illustrates the biblical principle that actions have consequences that return to their originator (Psalm 7:16). Theologically, it points to God's sovereignty in directing blessings and judgments to their intended target. When used in blessings, it signifies God's abundant favor resting fully on an individual. In judgments, it shows that divine retribution is thorough. This physical metaphor underscores that God's dealings with humanity are personal, encompassing, and touch the very core of our being.
Historical Background
The Hebrew word 'qodqod' is a common Semitic term for the skull or top of the head, related to words in Akkadian (qaqqadu) and Arabic (qafqafa). In ancient Near Eastern culture, the head was considered the seat of life, honor, and personality. Treaties and curses from contemporary societies (like the Assyrian vassal treaties) often included phrases about affliction falling on the head as a symbol of total defeat or judgment. The biblical usage aligns with this cultural understanding, using a well-known physical reference to communicate spiritual truths about comprehensive blessing or cursing from God.