פְּקֻדָּה

פְּקֻדָּה

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)

Definition

The Hebrew noun פְּקֻדָּה (pᵉquddâh) fundamentally denotes an act of oversight, a charge, or a visitation. In its most common usage, it refers to an official duty or responsibility assigned to someone, such as the Levitical oversight of the tabernacle's sacred objects (Numbers 3:32, 4:16). It can also mean a formal accounting or reckoning, as seen in the context of divine judgment (Numbers 16:29). In some instances, the word carries the sense of a storehouse or that which is laid up under supervision (2 Kings 11:18).

Biblical Usage

This word appears primarily in priestly and administrative contexts, especially in Numbers, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 Chronicles. It describes the specific oversight duties of the Levites regarding the tabernacle (Numbers 3:36), the formal ordering of priestly divisions (1 Chronicles 24:3, 19), and the treasury or storehouse of the temple (2 Kings 11:18). The pattern shows it is a technical term for an appointed responsibility or a guarded deposit.

Etymology

פְּקֻדָּה is the feminine passive participle of the root פָּקַד (pāqad, H6485), meaning 'to attend to, visit, muster, or appoint.' This root conveys a sense of purposeful oversight. The noun form thus inherits the concepts of something that is appointed, mustered, or visited for inspection, leading to its meanings of duty, charge, and visitation.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects human responsibility with divine oversight. The Levitical 'charge' (פְּקֻדָּה) reflects God's meticulous order for worship and the seriousness of stewarding holy things. In contexts like Numbers 16:29, it touches on divine judgment—a 'visitation' from God. Understanding this term enriches the reading of passages about priesthood, stewardship, and accountability, showing that service to God is a specific, God-appointed trust. In ancient Israelite culture, פְּקֻדָּה was a formal term for a delegated task within a hierarchical, often religious, structure. Unlike a casual job, it implied a sacred or royal appointment with accountability. The concept of a 'charge' over temple treasures (2 Kings 11:18) also reflects the ancient practice of centralizing wealth and sacred items under official guard, a key aspect of temple and palace administration. מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — a closely related term for a guard, watch, or charge, often used interchangeably with פְּקֻדָּה for Levitical duties. מִצְוָה (mitzvah, H4687) — a commandment or precept, focusing more on the instruction than the oversight role. פְּקֻדָּה (a variant spelling, same H6486) — identical in meaning, showing slight orthographic variation.

Word Details