פַּ֫עַם

From the study of Genesis 2:23

Range of meaning

Paʿam means a foot, a footstep or a beat, and from that an occurrence or a “time” (as in “three times”). With the article, happaʿam means “this time, now at last,” often after earlier tries or disappointments.

Against the English

KJV/BSB/WEB “This is now” is accurate in older English but sounds flat today, as if it only meant “at present.” ESV and NRSV “at last” and NLT “At last!” catch the exclamation. YLT “This [is] the [proper] step!” is over-literal.

How it drifted

“Now” has lost its old sense of “now at length, finally” in ordinary speech, so the note of long-awaited relief drops out.

Used elsewhere in the period

Same idiom in Gen 29:34–35 (Leah: “this time my husband will be joined to me… this time I will praise the LORD”), Gen 30:20, 46:30 (Jacob: “now let me die, since I have seen your face”), Exod 9:27 (Pharaoh: “this time I have sinned”), Judg 16:18, 28 (Samson: “only this once”). In each case it marks this occurrence as decisive compared with what came before.

From the study of Numbers 20:11

Range of meaning

Pa'am means a footstep, a beat or stroke, and so 'a time, an occurrence.' The dual form pa'amayim means 'twice.'

Against the English

All English versions correctly say 'twice.' The word is accurate. The question is what readers make of it.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used elsewhere simply for 'twice' (e.g. Gen 27:36; 1 Sam 18:11). At Horeb no number of blows is given (Exod 17:6).

From the study of Proverbs 29:5

Range of meaning

A step or footfall. By extension a beat, an occurrence or 'time' (as in 'this time', 'once'), and also an anvil or the foot of an object.

Against the English

BSB, KJV and WEB say 'feet'. NASB and YLT say 'steps', which is closer: the word is about the feet in motion, where they are going to land.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 57:6 (Heb 57:7) 'a net for my steps'. Ps 17:5 and 119:133 'my steps'. Ps 140:4 (Heb 140:5) 'who planned to trip up my steps'. Isa 26:6 'the steps of the poor'.