פָּנָה

From the study of Isaiah 40:3

Range of meaning

Basic stem: turn, face. Intensive stem (used here): to clear away, to make room by turning things out (Gen 24:31; Lev 14:36; Isa 57:14; 62:10; Mal 3:1).

Against the English

"Prepare" (KJV, BSB, ESV) is broader and can sound like spiritual readiness. "Clear" (NASB, NLT) keeps the physical picture of removing obstacles.

How it drifted

Because the Gospels apply the verse to John the Baptist's call to repent, "prepare the way" is now heard mainly as an inner, moral command. The Hebrew picture is road-building, though the metaphor can carry a moral sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Malachi 3:1 deliberately echoes this verse: "he will clear (u-phinnah) the way before me". Isaiah 57:14 and 62:10 repeat the road-clearing command.

From the study of Exodus 14:27

Range of meaning

Literally 'at the turning of morning': the moment when night turns into day, i.e. dawn or daybreak. Pānâ means 'to turn (one's face)'.

Against the English

BSB and NIV: 'at daybreak'. KJV and WEB: 'when the morning appeared'. YLT: 'at the turning of the morning'. All are accurate. Only YLT keeps the picture of the turn.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 46:5 (Heb 46:6): 'God will help her lifnōt bōqer', in a psalm about raging waters held in check. Judg 19:26 uses the same phrase. Exod 14:24 has already placed God's attack in 'the morning watch' (the last watch of the night).

From the study of Genesis 18:22

Range of meaning

'Panah' means to turn, turn your face, or head in a direction. 'Panim' means face or presence, and 'lifnei' ('to the face of') is the ordinary word for 'before, in front of, in the presence of'.

Against the English

English 'turned… before' hides the shared root. KJV's 'turned their faces' gets the face idea partly, though Hebrew 'panah' does not need to spell out 'faces'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Wordplay on panah/panim runs through Genesis, most famously at Peniel/Penuel, where Jacob says 'I have seen God face to face' (Gen 32:30–31).