6622. pathar

Lexicon

pathar: To interpret

Original Word: פָתַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pathar
Pronunciation: pah-thar'
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-thar')
Definition: To interpret
Meaning: to open up, interpret

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

interpretation,

A primitive root; to open up, i.e. (figuratively) interpret (a dream) -- interpret(-ation, -er).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to interpret
NASB Translation
interpret (4), interpreted (5).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מָּתַר verb interpret (dream), only Genesis 40:41 (Late Hebrew id., Jewish-Aramaic מְּתַר; apparently = Aramaic מְּשַׁר, , dissolve, figurative solve, interpret, compare מֵּשֶׁר); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular מָּתַר, with ל person Genesis 40:22; Genesis 41:13; absolute מָּתָ֑ר Genesis 40:16; Genesis 41:12; with accusative of thing: Imperfect3masculine singular וַיִּפְתָּרלָֿנוּ Genesis 41:12; Infinitive construct לִפְתֹּר Genesis 41:15; Participle active מֹּתֵר Genesis 40:8; Genesis 41:15, ׳מּוֺ Genesis 41:8.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G518 (apokalyptō): To uncover, reveal
• G868 (aphiēmi): To send away, leave alone, permit
• G1299 (diatassō): To arrange, appoint, command
• G2647 (katalyō): To destroy, demolish, dissolve

These Greek entries reflect various aspects of revealing, interpreting, or arranging, which can be conceptually linked to the act of interpretation as seen in the Hebrew פָתַר.

Usage: The verb פָתַר (pāṯar) is used in the context of interpreting dreams or enigmas, particularly in the narratives involving Joseph and Daniel. It conveys the act of explaining or making clear that which is obscure or mysterious.

Context: פָתַר (pāṯar) is a Hebrew verb that primarily appears in the context of dream interpretation. It is most notably used in the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis, where Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer, baker, and Pharaoh himself. This ability to interpret dreams is portrayed as a divine gift, setting Joseph apart and leading to his rise in power in Egypt.

In Genesis 40:8, Joseph responds to the imprisoned cupbearer and baker, saying, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me your dreams." Here, פָתַר is used to emphasize that the ability to interpret is not merely a human skill but a divine endowment. Similarly, in Genesis 41:15-16, Pharaoh acknowledges Joseph's ability to interpret dreams, to which Joseph replies, "I cannot do it... but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

The concept of פָתַר is also present in the Book of Daniel, where Daniel interprets the dreams and visions of King Nebuchadnezzar. In Daniel 2:30, Daniel attributes his interpretive ability to divine revelation, stating, "As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind."

The use of פָתַר underscores the belief in divine communication through dreams and the special role of certain individuals as interpreters of these messages. It highlights the theme of God's sovereignty and the idea that true understanding and wisdom come from God.

Forms and Transliterations

וַיִּפְתָּר־ וּפֹתֵ֖ר ויפתר־ ופתר לִפְתֹּ֥ר לפתר פָּֽתַר־ פָּתַ֛ר פָּתָ֑ר פָּתָֽר׃ פּוֹתֵ֥ר פותר פתר פתר־ פתר׃ lifTor lip̄·tōr lip̄tōr pā·ṯar pā·ṯār pā·ṯar- paTar pāṯar pāṯār pāṯar- pō·w·ṯêr poTer pōwṯêr ū·p̄ō·ṯêr ufoTer ūp̄ōṯêr vaiyiftor way·yip̄·tār- wayyip̄tār-

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 40:8
HEB: חֲל֣וֹם חָלַ֔מְנוּ וּפֹתֵ֖ר אֵ֣ין אֹת֑וֹ
NAS: and there is no one to interpret it. Then Joseph
KJV: a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph
INT: A dream have had to interpret and there said

Genesis 40:16
HEB: כִּ֣י ט֣וֹב פָּתָ֑ר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־
NAS: saw that he had interpreted favorably,
KJV: saw that the interpretation was good,
INT: for favorably had interpreted said to

Genesis 40:22
HEB: תָּלָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּתַ֛ר לָהֶ֖ם יוֹסֵֽף׃
NAS: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
KJV: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
INT: hanged after had interpreted Joseph

Genesis 41:8
HEB: חֲלֹמ֔וֹ וְאֵין־ פּוֹתֵ֥ר אוֹתָ֖ם לְפַרְעֹֽה׃
NAS: but there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
KJV: them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
INT: his dreams there interpret to Pharaoh

Genesis 41:12
HEB: וַנְּ֨סַפֶּר־ ל֔וֹ וַיִּפְתָּר־ לָ֖נוּ אֶת־
NAS: and we related [them] to him, and he interpreted our dreams
KJV: and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams;
INT: of the bodyguard related interpreted our dreams according

Genesis 41:12
HEB: אִ֥ישׁ כַּחֲלֹמ֖וֹ פָּתָֽר׃
NAS: for us. To each one he interpreted according to his [own] dream.
KJV: according to his dream he did interpret.
INT: according to his dream interpreted

Genesis 41:13
HEB: וַיְהִ֛י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּֽתַר־ לָ֖נוּ כֵּ֣ן
NAS: And just as he interpreted for us, so
KJV: And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored
INT: happened he interpreted so happened

Genesis 41:15
HEB: חֲל֣וֹם חָלַ֔מְתִּי וּפֹתֵ֖ר אֵ֣ין אֹת֑וֹ
NAS: but no one can interpret it; and I have heard
KJV: a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard
INT: A dream have had interpret no I

Genesis 41:15
HEB: תִּשְׁמַ֥ע חֲל֖וֹם לִפְתֹּ֥ר אֹתֽוֹ׃
NAS: a dream you can interpret it.
KJV: a dream to interpret it.
INT: hear A dream interpret

9 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6622
9 Occurrences

lip̄·tōr — 1 Occ.
pā·ṯār — 4 Occ.
pō·w·ṯêr — 1 Occ.
ū·p̄ō·ṯêr — 2 Occ.
way·yip̄·tār- — 1 Occ.