What does פָּעַל mean in the Bible?
פָּעַל is a Hebrew word meaning "to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise".
Hebrew · H6466
פָּעַל
To do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
פָּעַלH6466
What does פָּעַל mean in the Bible?
פָּעַל is a Hebrew word meaning "to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise".
Full entry for פָּעַל (H6466) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6466?
The BSB source-word alignment has 57 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include do (3), evildoers (3), of evildoers (3), the workers (3), I have done (2).
Where does פָּעַל appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 15:17. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (26), Job (12), Isaiah (7), Proverbs (4).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itdo3×Job 22:17, Psalms 11:3, Psalms 119:3
evildoers3×Job 34:8, Psalms 92:7, Psalms 92:9
of evildoers3×Psalms 141:9, Isaiah 31:2, Hosea 6:8
the workers3×Job 34:22, Psalms 28:3, Psalms 94:16
I have done2×Job 34:32, Proverbs 30:20
to the workers2×Job 31:3, Proverbs 21:15
Will the workers2×Psalms 14:4, Psalms 53:4
workers2×Psalms 5:5, Psalms 94:4
You have done2×Job 36:23, Isaiah 26:12
[awaits] those who do1×Proverbs 10:29
[I am] doing1×Habakkuk 1:5
accomplishing1×Job 37:12
and forges [it]1×Isaiah 44:12
and labors1×Isaiah 44:12
and plot1×Micah 2:1
and practices1×Psalms 15:2
can you do1×Job 11:8
carry out1×Zephaniah 2:3
do you accomplish1×Job 35:6
does1×Job 33:29
evildoer1×Psalms 101:8
fashions it1×Isaiah 44:15
from workers1×Psalms 59:2
has done1×Numbers 23:23
has made1×Proverbs 16:4
has performed this1×Isaiah 41:4
have I done1×Job 7:20
He ordains1×Psalms 7:13
of his own making1×Psalms 7:15
of workers1×Psalms 64:2
the evildoers1×Psalms 36:12
they practice1×Hosea 7:1
to my Maker1×Job 36:3
When I act1×Isaiah 43:13
which You have bestowed1×Psalms 31:19
who did1×Deuteronomy 32:27
who do1×Psalms 141:4
with the evildoers1×Psalms 125:5
working1×Psalms 74:12
you devise1×Psalms 58:2
You did1×Psalms 44:1
You have exerted1×Psalms 68:28
You have prepared1×Exodus 15:17
you workers1×Psalms 6:8
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 15:17פָּעַ֖לְתָּtoYou have preparedVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularNumbers 23:23פָּ֖עַלtohas doneVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 32:27פָּעַ֥לtowho didVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularJob 7:20אֶפְעַ֨ל׀tohave I doneVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singularJob 11:8תִּפְעָ֑לtocan you doVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularJob 22:17יִּפְעַ֖לtodoVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularJob 31:3לְפֹ֣עֲלֵיtoto the workersPreposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructJob 33:29יִפְעַל־todoesVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularJob 34:8פֹּ֣עֲלֵיtoevildoersVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural constructJob 34:22פֹּ֣עֲלֵיtothe workersVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 15:17
Aligned rows57
Books represented11
Exodus1Numbers1Deuteronomy1Job12Psalms26Proverbs4Isaiah7Hosea2Micah1Habakkuk1Zephaniah1
Source forms
פֹּ֣עֲלֵי8xpō·‘ă·lêJob 34:8, Job 34:22, Psalms 6:8, Psalms 36:12
פֹּ֥עֲלֵי6xpō·‘ă·lêPsalms 5:5, Psalms 92:9, Psalms 94:4, Psalms 94:16
פָּעַ֥לְתָּ4xpā·‘al·tāJob 36:23, Psalms 44:1, Psalms 68:28, Isaiah 26:12
לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי3xlə·p̄ō·‘ă·lêJob 31:3, Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 21:15
יִפְעַל־2xyip̄·‘al-Job 33:29, Isaiah 44:15
יִפְעָֽל׃2xyip̄·‘ālPsalms 7:13, Psalms 7:15
פֹּ֪עֲלֵ֫י2xpō·‘ă·lêPsalms 14:4, Psalms 28:3
אֶפְעַ֖ל1x’ep̄·‘alIsaiah 43:13
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct19xJob 34:8, Job 34:22, Psalms 5:5, Psalms 6:8
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular6xExodus 15:17, Job 36:23, Psalms 31:19, Psalms 44:1
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular5xJob 22:17, Job 33:29, Psalms 7:13, Psalms 7:15
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular5xNumbers 23:23, Deuteronomy 32:27, Psalms 11:3, Proverbs 16:4
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct3xJob 31:3, Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 21:15
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural3xPsalms 119:3, Hosea 7:1, Zephaniah 2:3
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular2xJob 7:20, Isaiah 43:13
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular2xJob 11:8, Job 35:6
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
Source Gloss
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise Usage: commit, (evil-) do(-er), make(-r), ordain, work(-er).
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 forms46
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense46×
Participle activeHab 1:5 · Hos 6:8 · Isa 31:2 · Job 34:8 · Job 34:22 · Ps 5:6 · Ps 6:9 · Ps 14:4 · Ps 28:3 · Ps 36:13 · Ps 53:5 · Ps 64:3 · Ps 74:12 · Ps 92:8 · Ps 92:10 · Ps 94:421×
PerfectExod 15:17 · Isa 26:12 · Job 36:23 · Ps 31:20 · Ps 44:2 · Ps 68:29 · Deut 32:27 · Isa 41:4 · Num 23:23 · Prov 16:4 · Ps 11:3 · Hos 7:1 · Ps 119:3 · Zeph 2:3 · Job 34:32 · Prov 30:2016×
ImperfectIsa 44:15 · Job 22:17 · Job 33:29 · Ps 7:14 · Ps 7:16 · Isa 43:13 · Job 7:20 · Job 11:8 · Job 35:69×
Word Origins
פָּעַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.