פִּקָּדוֹן

פִּקָּדוֹן

a deposit

Definition

The Hebrew noun פִּקָּדוֹן (piqqâdôwn) refers specifically to a deposit or something entrusted to another for safekeeping. It denotes property or goods that are given into someone's custody, with the expectation of faithful stewardship and eventual return. In Leviticus 6:2-4, it describes a scenario where a person denies holding a deposit given by a neighbor, which is treated as a breach of trust and a sin requiring restitution. In Genesis 41:36, the term is used more broadly for the grain reserves stored up during the years of plenty in Egypt, which were to be held in trust for the coming famine.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only three times in the Old Testament, all in legal or administrative contexts concerning responsibility over another's property. It appears in the narrative of Joseph's economic planning in Genesis 41:36, where it refers to the centralized 'store' of grain. Its other two uses are in the legal code of Leviticus (6:2, 6:4), detailing the sin and restitution required for dishonestly handling a neighbor's deposit. This pattern shows the word's core association with formal trust and accountability.

Etymology

פִּקָּדוֹן is a noun derived from the root פָּקַד (pāqad, H6485), which has a broad semantic range including 'to attend to,' 'to visit,' 'to muster,' or 'to appoint.' The noun form, with its specific ending, focuses on the object or matter that is 'attended to' or 'entrusted'—hence, a deposit. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to oversight and responsibility.

Semantic Range

This word underscores the biblical importance of faithfulness, integrity, and stewardship in human relationships, reflecting God's own character as a faithful keeper of His covenants. The legal treatment of a violated deposit in Leviticus highlights that dishonesty with entrusted property is not merely a civil matter but a sin against God (Leviticus 6:2). Understanding this term enriches reading by emphasizing that God's law governs even mundane economic transactions, rooting social ethics in divine accountability. In ancient Israelite society, which lacked modern banking institutions, entrusting valuable goods to a neighbor or a centralized storehouse (as in Egypt) was a common practice essential for economic security and survival. A פִּקָּדוֹן represented a solemn trust based on personal and community honor. Its mishandling was a serious offense that damaged social cohesion, hence the detailed sacrificial and restitution requirements in the Mosaic law to restore both the relationship and one's standing before God. מַשְׂאֵת (mas'et, H4853) — a burden or load carried, sometimes a tribute, less focused on custodial trust. עֵרָבוֹן (ʿērāḇôn, H6162) — a pledge or security, often given in guarantee for a future action, not a deposit for safekeeping.

Word Details