Lexical Summary puqah: Lintel Original Word: פוּקָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance grief From puwq; a stumbling-block -- grief. see HEBREW puwq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom puq Definition tottering, staggering NASB Translation grief (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מּוּקָה noun feminine tottering, staggering; — figurative for qualm of conscience 1 Samuel 25:31 (+ מִכְשׁוֺל לֵב, see Dr). Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Semantic Field פּוּקָה (pugah) carries the sense of a weight that causes one to reel—an overwhelming load of accountability or guilt. Though the word appears only once, the imagery it evokes is rich: a moral encumbrance pressing upon the inner life, threatening to make a person stumble under its weight. Biblical Context The single occurrence is found in Abigail’s plea to David (1 Samuel 25:31). She foresees that if David sheds innocent blood in anger, “my lord would not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself.” Her Spirit-guided intercession reframes David’s imminent violence as a future “pugah”—a crushing remorse that would haunt the throne he is about to inherit. Narrative Significance in 1 Samuel 25 1. Abigail discerns the hidden danger. While David’s men feel justified, she perceives the unseen consequence: the inward collapse that follows rash vengeance. Theological Implications • Conscience: Scripture often describes the heart’s weight under guilt (Psalm 38:4; Hebrews 10:22). פּוּקָה crystallizes that reality in a single word. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Pastoral counseling: Help believers identify potential “pugah” decisions—rash actions that promise immediate relief but bring enduring remorse. Connections in Redemptive History David’s refusal to avenge himself anticipates the Messiah who “committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth… He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:22-23). Where David avoided one staggering burden, Christ shouldered the full weight of humanity’s guilt (Isaiah 53:6). Thus the solitary פּוּקָה in David’s account contrasts with the immeasurable load Christ bore on the cross. Contemporary Reflection Believers today still face choices that can saddle the conscience. Remembering Abigail’s insight encourages patience, dependence on divine justice, and openness to wise correction. When tempted to secure personal vindication, the Spirit whispers a gentle warning: avoid the “pugah” and walk the freer path of trust and forgiveness. Forms and Transliterations לְפוּקָה֩ לפוקה lə·p̄ū·qāh lefuKah ləp̄ūqāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 25:31 HEB: זֹ֣את ׀ לְךָ֡ לְפוּקָה֩ וּלְמִכְשׁ֨וֹל לֵ֜ב NAS: will not cause grief or a troubled KJV: That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence INT: cause likewise grief A troubled heart 1 Occurrence |
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