Lexical Summary
pithchon: Opening, entrance, doorway
Original Word:פִתְחוֹן
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:pithchown
Pronunciation:peeth-khone'
Phonetic Spelling:(pith-khone')
KJV: open(-ing)
NASB:open
Word Origin:[fromH6605 (פָּתַח - To open)]
1. opening (the act)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
opening
Frompathach; opening (the act) -- open(-ing).
see HEBREWpathach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
pathachDefinitionan opening
NASB Translationopen (1), open* (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — construct
opening of mouth in speech or song
Ezekiel 16:63;
Ezekiel 29:21.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and idiomatic senseThe term designates the “opening” that allows speech—whether an answer, a defense, or the fresh release of prophetic utterance. In Scripture it functions more as an event than an object: the moment when God either removes every excuse from sinful lips or, conversely, grants renewed liberty to proclaim His word.
Occurrences in Ezekiel
1.Ezekiel 16:63: “So you will remember and be ashamed, and you will never again open your mouth because of your disgrace, when I have forgiven you for all you have done, declares the Lord GOD.” Here the expected “opening” is withdrawn. Israel’s guilt will leave her with nothing to say in her own defense once divine pardon exposes the full depth of her unfaithfulness.
2.Ezekiel 29:21: “On that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” After many chapters of judgment oracles, the prophet is promised a renewed, authoritative voice. The same people who earlier had no legitimate reply will now hear God’s affirming message through Ezekiel.
Prophetic and judicial silence
Throughout Ezekiel’s ministry the shutting of the mouth marked judgment (Ezekiel 3:26). The two appearances of פִתְחוֹן form bookends: first, the silence imposed by shame; later, the lifting of that silence in mercy. Both acts underline that speech about God is never self-generated. It is either restrained or released by Him.
Divine restoration of speech
In 29:21 the “opening” coincides with the metaphorical “horn” (symbol of strength) sprouting for Israel. When God restores His people, He simultaneously restores a clear witness among them. Their recovery is inseparable from the reappearance of faithful proclamation.
Atonement and shame
Ezekiel 16:63 couples the absence of an “opening” with the Lord’s declaration, “when I have forgiven you.” Forgiveness, paradoxically, intensifies awareness of sin to the point that self-justification evaporates. Genuine grace leaves no room for excuses; it produces humble silence before God (cf.Romans 3:19).
New Testament echoes
The pattern recurs when Zechariah’s mouth is opened after John’s birth (Luke 1:64) and when Christ’s disciples, once scattered by fear, receive Spirit-empowered speech at Pentecost (Acts 2:4). God both closes proud lips and opens redeemed ones, ensuring that testimony flows from grace, not presumption (Luke 21:15).
Implications for contemporary ministry
• Preaching authority is a gift, not an entitlement. Seekers of a fresh “opening” must first submit to God’s purifying work.
• Pastoral counseling should recognize that shame can silence, but forgiveness rightly embraced leads to truthful, humble speech.
• Corporate worship ought to balance confession (silenced mouths) with proclamation (opened mouths), modeling the rhythm Ezekiel embodies.
• Intercessors can prayEzekiel 29:21 for missionaries, pastors, and persecuted believers—asking God to “open their mouth among them” so nations will know that He is the LORD.
Forms and Transliterations
פִּתְח֣וֹן פִּתְחֽוֹן־ פתחון פתחון־ piṯ·ḥō·wn piṯ·ḥō·wn- pitChon piṯḥōwn piṯḥōwn-
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