What does פָּסַל (pāsal) mean in the Bible?
פָּסַל (pāsal): To carve or hew into shape; foundational to both idolatry and legitimate sacred artistry in worship
Hebrew · H6458
פָּסַל
To carve , whether wood or stone
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פָּסַלH6458
Pronunciationpāsal
What does פָּסַל (pāsal) mean in the Bible?
פָּסַל (pāsal): To carve or hew into shape; foundational to both idolatry and legitimate sacred artistry in worship
Full entry for פָּסַל (H6458) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6458?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Chisel out (2), chiseled out (2), quarried the stone (1), should carve it (1).
Where does פָּסַל (pāsal) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 34:1. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (2), Exodus (2), 1 Kings (1), Habakkuk (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders ItChisel out2×Exodus 34:1, Deuteronomy 10:1
chiseled out2×Exodus 34:4, Deuteronomy 10:3
quarried the stone1×1 Kings 5:18
should carve it1×Habakkuk 2:18
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 34:1פְּסָל־toChisel outVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularExodus 34:4וַיִּפְסֹ֡לtochiseled outConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 10:1פְּסָל־toChisel outVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularDeuteronomy 10:3וָאֶפְסֹ֛לtochiseled outConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular1 Kings 5:18וַֽיִּפְסְל֞וּtoquarried the stoneConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralHabakkuk 2:18פְסָלוֹ֙toshould carve itVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 34:1
Aligned rows6
Books represented4
Exodus2Deuteronomy21 Kings1Habakkuk1
Source forms
פְּסָל־2xpə·sāl-Exodus 34:1, Deuteronomy 10:1
וָאֶפְסֹ֛ל1xwā·’ep̄·sōlDeuteronomy 10:3
וַיִּפְסֹ֡ל1xway·yip̄·sōlExodus 34:4
וַֽיִּפְסְל֞וּ1xway·yip̄·sə·lū1 Kings 5:18
פְסָלוֹ֙1xp̄ə·sā·lōwHabakkuk 2:18
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular2xExodus 34:1, Deuteronomy 10:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular1xDeuteronomy 10:3
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1x1 Kings 5:18
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xExodus 34:4
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular1xHabakkuk 2:18
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. To carve or hew into shape; foundational to both idolatry and legitimate sacred artistry in worship
Source Gloss
to carve , whether wood or stone
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
To carve or hew into shape; foundational to both idolatry and legitimate sacred artistry in worship
to carve, whether wood or stone BDB: hew Usage: grave, hew.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms2
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense2×
Sequential imperfectDeut 10:1 · Exod 34:12×
Word Origins
פָּסַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.