What does פָּקַח (pāqaḥ) mean in the Bible?
פָּקַח (pāqaḥ): Opening eyes moves from physical sight to spiritual perception and discernment of truth
Hebrew · H6491
פָּקַח
To open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant
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.
פָּקַחH6491
Pronunciationpāqaḥ
What does פָּקַח (pāqaḥ) mean in the Bible?
פָּקַח (pāqaḥ): Opening eyes moves from physical sight to spiritual perception and discernment of truth
Full entry for פָּקַח (H6491) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6491?
The BSB source-word alignment has 20 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include open (6), opened (4), . . . (1), and opened (1), are open (1).
Where does פָּקַח (pāqaḥ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 3:5. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Kings (6), Isaiah (4), Genesis (3), Job (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itopen6×2 Kings 6:17, 2 Kings 6:20, 2 Kings 19:16, Proverbs 20:13
opened4×Genesis 3:5, Genesis 21:19, 2 Kings 6:17, 2 Kings 6:20
. . .1×Jeremiah 32:19
and opened1×2 Kings 4:35
are open1×Isaiah 42:20
Do You open1×Job 14:3
I will keep a watchful1×Zechariah 12:4
opens [the eyes of]1×Psalms 146:8
to open1×Isaiah 42:7
were opened1×Genesis 3:7
when he opens1×Job 27:19
will be opened1×Isaiah 35:5
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 3:5וְנִפְקְח֖וּtoopenedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralGenesis 3:7וַתִּפָּקַ֙חְנָה֙towere openedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine pluralGenesis 21:19וַיִּפְקַ֤חtoopenedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Kings 4:35וַיִּפְקַ֥חtoand openedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Kings 6:17פְּקַח־toopenVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular2 Kings 6:17וַיִּפְקַ֤חtoopenedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Kings 6:20פְּקַ֥חtoopenVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular2 Kings 6:20וַיִּפְקַ֤חtoopenedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Kings 19:16פְּקַ֧חtoopenVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularJob 14:3פָּקַ֣חְתָּtoDo You openVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 3:5
Aligned rows20
Books represented9
Genesis32 Kings6Job2Psalms1Proverbs1Isaiah4Jeremiah1Daniel1Zechariah1
Source forms
וַיִּפְקַ֤ח3xway·yip̄·qaḥGenesis 21:19, 2 Kings 6:17, 2 Kings 6:20
פְּקַ֧ח2xpə·qaḥ2 Kings 19:16, Isaiah 37:17
אֶפְקַ֣ח1x’ep̄·qaḥZechariah 12:4
וַיִּפְקַ֥ח1xway·yip̄·qaḥ2 Kings 4:35
וְנִפְקְח֖וּ1xwə·nip̄·qə·ḥūGenesis 3:5
וַתִּפָּקַ֙חְנָה֙1xwat·tip·pā·qaḥ·nāhGenesis 3:7
לִפְקֹ֖חַ1xlip̄·qō·aḥIsaiah 42:7
פָּק֥וֹחַ1xpā·qō·w·aḥIsaiah 42:20
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular6x2 Kings 6:17, 2 Kings 6:20, 2 Kings 19:16, Proverbs 20:13
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular4xGenesis 21:19, 2 Kings 4:35, 2 Kings 6:17, 2 Kings 6:20
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural1xGenesis 3:5
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural1xGenesis 3:7
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct1xIsaiah 42:7
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural1xIsaiah 35:5
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular1xZechariah 12:4
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute1xIsaiah 42:20
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Opening eyes moves from physical sight to spiritual perception and discernment of truth
Strong'sH6491
Lexical occurrences21 versesWord forms2 forms13 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkGenesis 3:1-7Source Gloss
to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Opening eyes moves from physical sight to spiritual perception and discernment of truth
to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant BDB: open Usage: open.
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 groups2Aligned forms13
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense12×
Sequential imperfect2Kgs 6:17 · 2Kgs 6:20 · 2Kgs 19:16 · Dan 9:18 · Isa 37:17 · Prov 20:136×
PerfectJob 14:3 · Job 27:192×
Infinitive absoluteIsa 42:201×
Participle passiveJer 32:191×
Participle activePs 146:81×
ImperfectZech 12:41×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action1×
ImperfectIsa 35:51×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Physical opening of eyes upon eating forbidden fruit, gaining awareness
God opening eyes to perceive water source in wilderness, divine revelation
Figurative opening of eyes related to observance and wakefulness, moral alertness
Showing 3 selected witnesses from 21 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
פָּקַח 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.