6621. petha
Lexical Summary
petha: Suddenness, instant, moment

Original Word: פֶתַע
Part of Speech: substantive
Transliteration: petha`
Pronunciation: PEH-thah
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-thah)
KJV: at an instant, suddenly, X very
NASB: suddenly, instantly, instant, very
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to open (the eyes)]

1. a wink, i.e. moment (used only (with or without preposition) adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
at an instant, suddenly, very

From an unused root meaning to open (the eyes); a wink, i.e. Moment (compare pith'owm) (used only (with or without preposition) adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly) -- at an instant, suddenly, X very.

see HEBREW pith'owm

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
suddenness
NASB Translation
instant (1), instantly (2), suddenly (3), very (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מֶּתַע substantive suddenness ( √ unknown: compare Assyrian ina pitti, ina pittimma, in suddenness, instantly, DlHWB 553): — Numbers 35:22 . . . הֲדָפוֺ וְאִםבְּֿפֶתַע if he have thrust him in suddenness, before he is aware what he has done (i.e. accidentally); + מִּתְאֹם Numbers 6:9 וכי ימות מת עליו בפתע פתאם i.e. very suddenly; לְפֶתַע according to (לְ, p. 5 I 6 b) suddenness, Isaiah 29:5 והיה לפתע פתאם = at an instant, suddenly, Isaiah 30:13 שִׁבְרָהּ אשׁר פתאם לפתע יבוא. As adverb accusative, suddenly, Proverbs 6:15 (= Proverbs 29:1) מֶּתַע יִשָּׁבֵר, Habakkuk 2:7.

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Scope of פֶתַע

The noun conveys the idea of something that happens “all at once,” “unexpectedly,” or “without prior warning.” In Scripture it is never divorced from moral or theological implication; a sudden event is not random but unfolds under the sovereign oversight of God. Thus פֶתַע serves as a verbal signpost alerting the reader to divine interruption—whether for blessing, discipline, or judgment.

Occurrences in the Torah

Numbers 6:9 introduces פֶתַע in the Nazirite legislation: “If someone dies suddenly beside him, defiling his consecrated head….” Here sudden death creates ceremonial contamination, demonstrating that even unanticipated events can disrupt holy vows. The solution—renewed consecration—models God’s gracious provision for unforeseen failure. Numbers 35:22 applies פֶתַע to manslaughter: “If anyone pushes a person suddenly without hostility….” The text underscores God’s justice by distinguishing between premeditated murder and unplanned tragedy, preserving both life and due process through the institution of cities of refuge.

Wisdom Literature Insights

Proverbs 6:15 warns the schemer: “Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery.” Likewise Proverbs 29:1 states, “A man who remains stiff-necked after much rebuke will suddenly be broken without remedy.” In both cases פֶתַע functions as a moral accelerant: habitual sin invites an abrupt and irreversible collapse. The wise reader learns that delayed judgment is not absent judgment; it may descend without warning.

Prophetic Usage

Isaiah 29:5 addresses the haughty nations encircling Jerusalem: “But your many enemies will become like fine dust… and suddenly, in an instant.” Isaiah 30:13 depicts Judah’s misplaced confidence: “This iniquity will be to you like a breach ready to fall, bulging in a high wall, whose collapse comes suddenly—in an instant.” Habakkuk 2:7 turns the term against Babylon: “Will not your creditors suddenly arise…?” In each passage, פֶתַע underscores the swiftness of divine retribution. Whether aimed at foreign oppressors or covenant people, God reserves the right to reverse fortunes without warning, vindicating His holiness and faithfulness.

Theological Emphasis on Divine Sovereignty

Because פֶתַע always describes events that override human expectation, it magnifies God’s prerogative to intervene in history. The suddenness of judgment or reversal anticipates New Testament teaching on the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3) and the unexpected return of Christ (Matthew 24:44). The Old Testament usage therefore cultivates a posture of humble vigilance among God’s people.

Pastoral and Ministry Application

1. Spiritual Readiness: Believers are urged to cultivate continuous holiness, knowing that lapses cannot be scheduled and consequences may emerge abruptly.
2. Mercy for the Unintentional: The Torah’s refuge provision models compassionate structures within church life for those who stumble unintentionally.
3. Warning to the Hardened: Persistent rebellion risks a break-point where recovery is no longer offered. Pastors must balance patience with clear warning.

Christological Reflection

At the cross, judgment and salvation converged “in an instant,” fulfilling prophetic patterns of sudden divine action. The resurrection likewise exemplifies God’s power to reverse apparent defeat without warning. Thus פֶתַע foreshadows both the crisis and the triumph manifest in Jesus Christ.

Eschatological Outlook

The sudden collapses portrayed by פֶתַע prefigure the consummate “twinkling of an eye” transformation promised to the church (1 Corinthians 15:52). Scripture’s consistent witness encourages believers to “be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35), living each moment in anticipation of God’s next unexpected, yet perfectly timed, intervention.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּפֶ֣תַע בְּפֶ֥תַע בפתע לְפֶ֖תַע לְפֶ֥תַע לפתע פֶ֗תַע פֶּ֥תַע פתע bə·p̄e·ṯa‘ beFeta bəp̄eṯa‘ Feta lə·p̄e·ṯa‘ leFeta ləp̄eṯa‘ pe·ṯa‘ p̄e·ṯa‘ Peta peṯa‘ p̄eṯa‘
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Numbers 6:9
HEB: מֵ֤ת עָלָיו֙ בְּפֶ֣תַע פִּתְאֹ֔ם וְטִמֵּ֖א
NAS: But if a man dies very suddenly beside
KJV: die very suddenly
INT: dies beside very suddenly defiles

Numbers 35:22
HEB: וְאִם־ בְּפֶ֥תַע בְּלֹא־ אֵיבָ֖ה
NAS: he pushed him suddenly without
KJV: But if he thrust him suddenly without
INT: if suddenly without enmity

Proverbs 6:15
HEB: יָב֣וֹא אֵיד֑וֹ פֶּ֥תַע יִ֝שָּׁבֵ֗ר וְאֵ֣ין
NAS: suddenly; Instantly he will be broken
KJV: suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken
INT: will come his calamity Instantly will be broken and there

Proverbs 29:1
HEB: מַקְשֶׁה־ עֹ֑רֶף פֶּ֥תַע יִ֝שָּׁבֵ֗ר וְאֵ֣ין
NAS: after much reproof Will suddenly be broken
KJV: [his] neck, shall suddenly be destroyed,
INT: hardens neck will suddenly be broken beyond

Isaiah 29:5
HEB: עָֽרִיצִ֔ים וְהָיָ֖ה לְפֶ֥תַע פִּתְאֹֽם׃
NAS: And it will happen instantly, suddenly.
KJV: that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
INT: of the ruthless will happen instantly suddenly

Isaiah 30:13
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ פִּתְאֹ֥ם לְפֶ֖תַע יָב֥וֹא שִׁבְרָֽהּ׃
NAS: comes suddenly in an instant,
KJV: cometh suddenly at an instant.
INT: Whose suddenly an instant comes collapse

Habakkuk 2:7
HEB: הֲל֣וֹא פֶ֗תַע יָק֙וּמוּ֙ נֹשְׁכֶ֔יךָ
NAS: rise up suddenly, And those who collect
KJV: Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite
INT: not suddenly rise your creditors

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6621
7 Occurrences


bə·p̄e·ṯa‘ — 2 Occ.
p̄e·ṯa‘ — 1 Occ.
lə·p̄e·ṯa‘ — 2 Occ.
pe·ṯa‘ — 2 Occ.

6620
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