Lexical Summary
pittuach: Engraving, carving, sculpture
Original Word:פִתּוּחַ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:pittuwach
Pronunciation:pit-too'-akh
Phonetic Spelling:(pit-too'-akh)
KJV: carved (work) (are, en-)grave(-ing, -n)
NASB:engravings, carved engravings, carved work, engraves, inscription
Word Origin:[passive participle ofH6605 (פָּתַח - To open)]
1. sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
carved work, engraving,
Or pittuach {pit-too'-akh; passive participle ofpathach; sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio) -- carved (work) (are, en-)grave(-ing, -n).
see HEBREWpathach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
pathachDefinitionan engraving
NASB Translationcarved engravings (1), carved work (1), engraves (1), engravings (6), inscription (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — absolute 2Chron 2:13; suffix
Zechariah 3:9; elsewhere plural 2Chron 2:6, etc.; — on (wood overlaid with) metal,
1 Kings 6:29 (see
1 Kings 6:21;
1 Kings 6:22), in temple, so
Psalm 74:6; on stone
Zechariah 3:9, especially
Exodus 28:11,21,36;
Exodus 39:6,14,30; in General 2Chron 2:6; 2 Chronicles 2:13.
Topical Lexicon
Strong’s Hebrew Number 6603 פִתּוּחַ (pittuach)Breadth of Usage
Found ten times in Scripture, pittuach always describes intentional, skillful engraving or carving—whether on gemstones, precious metals, timber, or even prophetic vision. Every occurrence is tied to the worship of the LORD, the identity of His covenant people, or the holiness of His dwelling place.
Engraving on the High Priest’s Ephod and Mitre (Exodus 28; 39)
•Exodus 28:11 records that each onyx stone on the ephod’s shoulder pieces was to be “engrave[d] … as a jeweler engraves a seal” with six tribal names apiece. The same word returns in verse 36 regarding the gold plate on the turban: “engrave on it like an inscription on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD”.
• By repetition inExodus 39:14, 30 these engravings stress two truths: the tribes are borne continually before God, and the priest who represents them must display unblemished consecration. The artistry therefore bears theological weight—beauty wedded to remembrance and holiness.
Temple Ornamentation under Solomon (1 Kings 6:29;2 Chronicles 2:7, 14)
The term next appears in the construction narrative of the First Temple. Solomon “carved cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers” on every wall (1 Kings 6:29). Cherubim underscore heavenly guardianship, palms hint at paradise regained, and open flowers evoke perpetual life.
In asking Hiram for help, Solomon requests a craftsman “experienced in the art of engraving” (2 Chronicles 2:7), and the man sent “can make any engraving” (2 Chronicles 2:14). Pittuach thus denotes the highest level of Spirit-endowed craftsmanship (compareExodus 31:1-6) required for a sanctuary where glory dwells.
Carved Work Profaned (Psalm 74:6)
During later devastation enemies wielded axes against “all its carvings” (Psalm 74:6). The same word that once celebrated sacred beauty now marks what was desecrated. The psalmist’s lament magnifies the horror of profaning what was painstakingly engraved for God’s honor and invites intercession for restoration.
Prophetic Promise of Ultimate Cleansing (Zechariah 3:9)
Zechariah foresees a single stone set before Joshua the high priest: “‘On that one stone are seven eyes. I will engrave its inscription,’ declares the LORD of Hosts, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day’”. Here pittuach is eschatological. The divine engraving seals a coming act of atonement—fulfilled in the once-for-all sacrifice of Messiah—making permanent what the ephod’s stones and the temple’s carvings only foreshadowed.
Spiritual Themes
1. Permanence of Covenant Identity
Names cut into gemstone (Exodus 28:11) symbolize the irrevocable election of Israel; by extension believers are “engraved on the palms” of God’s hands (compareIsaiah 49:16), ensuring remembrance.
2. Holiness Made Visible
The gold plate “HOLY TO THE LORD” (Exodus 28:36) publicly proclaims what must be true internally. Worship that honors God combines inner consecration with outward expression.
3. Beauty as Worship
Whether in the tabernacle, temple, or prophetic vision, pittuach affirms that artistic excellence glorifies the Creator and invites reverent awe.
4. Judgment against Profanation
Psalm 74 warns that when holiness is despised, even the most exquisite carvings cannot protect a people from divine discipline.
5. Christological Culmination
Zechariah’s engraved stone with seven eyes—omniscient perfection—anticipates Jesus Christ, the “living Stone” who bears sin away in a single day (Zechariah 3:9;1 Peter 2:4-6).
Ministry Application
• Celebrate and cultivate artistic gifts for the sake of the gospel, following the pattern of Bezalel and Huram.
• Teach believers the permanence of their standing in Christ, illustrated by engraved names carried on the high priest’s shoulders.
• Guard the sanctity of gathered worship; the beauty of form must align with purity of heart.
• Hold fast to the promise that the Lord who once engraved holiness upon gold has now engraved grace upon hearts by His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:3).
Forms and Transliterations
פִּתֻּחָ֗הּ פִּתּ֔וּחַ פִּתּוּחִ֑ים פִּתּוּחֵ֣י פִּתּוּחֵ֤י פִּתּוּחֵי֙ פִּתּוּחֶ֣יהָ פתוח פתוחי פתוחיה פתוחים פתחה pit·tū·aḥ pit·tu·ḥāh pit·tū·ḥê pit·tū·ḥe·hā pit·tū·ḥîm pitTuach pittūaḥ pittuChah pittuChei pittuCheiha pittuChim pittuḥāh pittūḥê pittūḥehā pittūḥîm
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