Strong's Lexicon pathal: To twist, to be cunning, to wrestle Original Word: פָתַל Word Origin: A primitive root Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "pathal," the concept of wrestling or struggling can be seen in Greek words like "ἀγωνίζομαι" (agonizomai - Strong's G75), which means to struggle or contend. Usage: The Hebrew verb "pathal" primarily conveys the idea of twisting or being cunning. It is often used in contexts that imply a form of deception or craftiness. The term can also suggest a physical or metaphorical wrestling, indicating a struggle or contest. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of cunning or craftiness was not always viewed negatively. It could denote wisdom and skill in navigating complex situations. The idea of wrestling, both physically and metaphorically, was a common motif in the ancient Near East, symbolizing struggle, perseverance, and the pursuit of blessing or victory. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to twist NASB Translation crooked (1), cunning (1), show yourself astute (2), wrestled (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָּתַל] verb twist (Late Hebrew Pi`el and derivatives; Arabic ; Ethiopic ; Aramaic מְּתַל, chiefly derivatives, in figure senses; Syriac ); — Niph`al Perfect1singular נִמְּתַּלְתִּי עִם Genesis 30:8 I have wrestled (literally twisted myself) with; Participle עֲצַת נִפְתָּלִים Job 5:13 the plan of the tortuous; נִפְתָּל וְעִקֵּשׁ Proverbs 8:8 anything tortuous and twisted. Hithpa`el Imperfect2masculine singular עִםֿ עִקֵּשׁ תִּתְמַּתָּ֑ל Psalm 18:27 with the twisted thou dost deal tortuously = 2 Samuel 22:27 (so read for impossible תִּתַּמָּ֑ל). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance show self froward, show self unsavoury, wrestle A primitive root; to twine, i.e. (literally) to struggle or (figuratively) be (morally) tortuous -- (shew self) froward, shew self unsavoury, wrestle. Forms and Transliterations נִפְתַּ֛לְתִּי נִפְתָּ֥ל נִפְתָּלִ֣ים נפתל נפתלים נפתלתי תִּתְפַּתָּֽל׃ תִּתַּפָּֽל׃ תתפל׃ תתפתל׃ nifTal niftaLim nifTalti nip̄·tā·lîm nip̄·tāl nip̄·tal·tî nip̄tāl nip̄tālîm nip̄taltî tiṯ·pat·tāl tit·tap·pāl titpatTal tiṯpattāl tittapPal tittappālLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 30:8 HEB: נַפְתּוּלֵ֨י אֱלֹהִ֧ים ׀ נִפְתַּ֛לְתִּי עִם־ אֲחֹתִ֖י NAS: wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, KJV: wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, INT: wrestlings mighty have wrestled with my sister 2 Samuel 22:27 Job 5:13 Psalm 18:26 Proverbs 8:8 5 Occurrences |