Hebrew word · H6601

פָּתָה

yefateh

to entice

In its basic form: to be open, simple, easily persuaded (Job 31:27; Hos 7:11, 'like a silly dove'). In the intensive form used here: to persuade, coax or seduce, often by deceiving. The usual idea is persuasion that takes advantage of someone's openness or trust.

Appears 28 times in 26 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to be simple, entice, deceive, persuade

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be open-minded, be simple, be naive

1a2) to be enticed, be deceived

1b) (Niphal) to be deceived, be gullible

1c) (Piel)

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to persuade, seduce

1c2) to deceive

1d) (Pual)

1d1) to be persuaded

1d2) to be deceived

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Proverbs 1:10

Range of meaning

In its basic form: to be open, simple, easily persuaded (Job 31:27; Hos 7:11, 'like a silly dove'). In the intensive form used here: to persuade, coax or seduce, often by deceiving. It covers seducing a young woman (Exod 22:16), coaxing a secret out of someone (Judg 14:15; 16:5, Samson's wife and Delilah), luring a king to his ruin (1 Kgs 22:20–22) and Jeremiah's complaint 'you deceived me' (Jer 20:7). The usual idea is persuasion that takes advantage of someone's openness or trust.

Against the English

'Entice' (KJV, BSB, WEB, YLT, ESV) is a good fit. English 'entice' can sound mild, as if someone dangled a treat. The Hebrew carries the idea of deliberately exploiting a naive person, close to 'seduce' or 'con'.

Used elsewhere in the period

The noun petî ('simple one') from the same root is a key word in Proverbs (1:4, 22, 32; 7:7; 9:4, 16). The Greek translation (LXX) renders this verse with planaō, 'lead astray, deceive'. Lexicons (BDB, HALOT) list 'persuade, seduce, deceive' for the intensive form.

From the study of Hosea 2:14

Range of meaning

In the basic stem: to be simple, open-minded, easily persuaded. In the intensive (piel) form used here: to persuade, coax, entice, seduce, and sometimes to deceive. It means getting someone to do what you want by working on them rather than forcing them.

Against the English

"Allure" (KJV, BSB, WEB, ESV) is a good fit, because it keeps the sense of attraction and drawing in. YLT's "enticing" is closer to how sharp the word is. "Win back" (NLT) keeps the goal but drops how bold the verb is. No common English version renders the possible undertone of seduction or trickery.

How it drifted

English "allure" has become a soft, almost flattering word. In many contexts the Hebrew verb carried a sense of risk: a man seducing an unbetrothed girl, or a person being talked into a trap.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 22:16 (Heb 22:15): a man who "seduces" a virgin must pay the bride-price and marry her. Judg 14:15 and 16:5: the Philistines tell Samson's wife and Delilah to "entice" him. 1 Kgs 22:20–22: a spirit will "entice" Ahab to go to his death. Jer 20:7: "You enticed me, LORD, and I was enticed." Prov 1:10: "if sinners entice you." Prov 25:15 uses the related passive form neutrally: "by patience a ruler is persuaded." The Greek translation of Hosea (LXX) renders it πλανῶ, "I lead astray / make to wander," and the Latin Vulgate has lactabo, "I will coax/allure."

From the study of Proverbs 20:19

Range of meaning

pātâ I: be open, naive, easily persuaded (qal); persuade, entice, deceive (piel; e.g. Proverbs 1:10, 'if sinners entice you'; 16:29). Related noun: petî, 'the simple, inexperienced one', a stock character in Proverbs. Some lexicons list a separate pātâ II, 'be wide, spacious' (Genesis 9:27, 'may God enlarge Japheth'). The supplied data uses that 'open wide' sense.

Against the English

KJV 'flattereth' and YLT 'deceiver' take the word in its 'entice/deceive' sense. BSB 'babbles', WEB 'opens wide his lips', ESV 'simple babbler', NIV 'talks too much' and NLT 'chatterers' take it as an open, uncontrolled mouth.

How it drifted

KJV's 'flattereth' makes modern readers think of flattery, sweet-talking someone for gain. The form here is the plain (qal) participle, which elsewhere means being naive or easily enticed (Job 5:2; 31:27), not actively deceiving. With 'his lips' it most naturally means someone open or simple at the mouth: a person who cannot hold anything in.

Used elsewhere in the period

Qal participle of pātâ: Job 5:2 ('envy slays the pōtêh', the simpleton); Hosea 7:11 ('Ephraim is like a dove, pōtâ, silly, without sense'). Proverbs 13:3 is the opposite picture: 'one who opens wide (pōśēq) his lips comes to ruin.' The Vulgate seems to read it as someone who 'widens his lips'.

Where it appears

Genesis · 1

  1. Genesis 9:27 יַ֤פְתְּ may he make spacious

    May God expand the territory of Japheth; may he dwell in the tents of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.”

Exodus · 1

  1. Exodus 22:16 יְפַתֶּ֣ה he will seduce

    If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife.

Deuteronomy · 1

  1. Deuteronomy 11:16 יִפְתֶּ֖ה it should be deceived

    But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods,

    Here: 'Lest your heart become gullible / be taken in.' In this simple form the verb describes the heart's own state: naive, open to persuasion, easy to talk round. It is the root behind the 'simple' person (peti) of Proverbs.

Judges · 2

  1. Judges 14:15 פַּתִּ֣י entice

    So on the fourth day they said to Samson’s wife, “Entice your husband to explain the riddle to us, or we will burn you and your father’s household to death. Did you invite us here to rob us?”

  2. Judges 16:5 פַּתִּ֣י entice

    The lords of the Philistines went to her and said, “Entice him and find out the source of his great strength and how we can overpower him to tie him up and subdue him. Then each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.”

2 Samuel · 1

  1. 2 Samuel 3:25 לְפַתֹּתְךָ֖ to deceive you

    Surely you realize that Abner son of Ner came to deceive you and to track your movements and all that you are doing.”

1 Kings · 3

  1. 1 Kings 22:20 יְפַתֶּה֙ will he deceive

    And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that.

    Here: 'Will talk him into it' by working on his openness to being led. The verb covers everything from wooing to seduction to outright deception. Verse 22 ('a lying spirit') makes clear that deception is meant here.

  2. 1 Kings 22:21 אֲפַתֶּ֑נּוּ I will deceive him

    Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD.

  3. 1 Kings 22:22 תְּפַתֶּה֙ you will deceive

    And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’

    Here: 'You will lure him.' The verb means drawing in someone who is open and gullible, by persuasion, seduction or trickery. Here it is a sanction ('you may, and you will') more than a simple prediction.

2 Chronicles · 3

  1. 2 Chronicles 18:19 יְפַתֶּה֙ will he deceive

    And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that.

  2. 2 Chronicles 18:20 אֲפַתֶּ֑נּוּ I will deceive him

    Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD.

  3. 2 Chronicles 18:21 תְּפַתֶּה֙ you will deceive

    And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’

Job · 3

  1. Job 5:2 וּ֝פֹתֶ֗ה and a simple [one]

    For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

    Here: A participle of the verb "to be open, easily persuaded". It means the naive person who is easily led. This is the second-line partner of "fool" and a milder word. The person is undiscerning rather than wicked.

  2. Job 31:9 נִפְתָּ֣ה it has been deceived

    If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door,

    Here: 'Has let itself be lured.' This is the verb for seducing someone or talking a naive person into something. The form can mean 'was lured' or 'let itself be lured'. Either way the problem sits inside Job, in his own heart.

  3. Job 31:27 וַיִּ֣פְתְּ and it was gullible

    so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

Psalms · 1

  1. Psalm 78:36 וַיְפַתּ֥וּהוּ and they deceived him

    But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues.

Proverbs · 5

  1. Proverbs 1:10 יְפַתּ֥וּךָ they will entice you

    My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.

    Here: The intensive form of a verb meaning to seduce, coax or talk someone into something by working on their openness. It is related to petî, 'the simple, gullible one' (1:4, 1:22): the naive person is exactly the one who can be 'pittah-ed'. The tense pictures an attempt that is ongoing or likely to happen.

  2. Proverbs 16:29 יְפַתֶּ֣ה he deceives

    A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.

  3. Proverbs 20:19 וּלְפֹתֶ֥ה and to [one who] opens

    He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

    Here: 'And' + 'with/to' + participle of pātâ. The root is linked to being open, and to being naive or easily led (the same family as petî, 'the simple one'). Here it describes a person whose lips are loose. The 'with' marks the person you are not to get entangled with.

  4. Proverbs 24:28 וַ֝הֲפִתִּ֗יתָ and ¿ will you deceive

    Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

  5. Proverbs 25:15 יְפֻתֶּ֣ה he will be persuaded

    Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

    Here: A passive form: the ruler 'is won over' or 'gets talked round'. The root is used elsewhere of coaxing, wooing and even seducing or luring. So the picture is a gradual drawing-over, not winning an argument. The imperfect tense presents it as what typically happens: 'can be / will be won over'.

Jeremiah · 3

  1. Jeremiah 20:7 פִּתִּיתַ֤נִי וָֽאֶפָּ֔ת you deceived me, and I was deceived

    You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.

    Here: Intensive (piel) form with 'me' attached: 'you lured me / you talked me into it'. The verb is used for seducing a girl (Exod 22:16), for Delilah working on Samson (Judg 16:5), and for the spirit that lured Ahab's prophets (1 Kgs 22:20–22). It opens the prayer with an accusation.

  2. Jeremiah 20:10 יְפֻתֶּה֙ he will be deceived

    For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”

    Here: 'He will be enticed/lured.' This is the same verb Jeremiah used of God three verses earlier ('You enticed me, LORD, and I was enticed', v. 7). The enemies hope to do to him what God did.

Ezekiel · 2

  1. Ezekiel 14:9 יְפֻתֶּה֙ פִּתֵּ֔יתִי he will be deceived, I have deceived

    But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel.

    Here: Passive (Pual) imperfect: 'is enticed, is talked into it'. The prophet is drawn into giving the idolater an answer, as if his guard were down. The verb does not say who did the enticing; the next clause does.

Hosea · 2

  1. Hosea 2:14 מְפַתֶּ֔יהָ [am] about to persuade her

    “Therefore, behold, I will allure her and lead her to the wilderness, and speak to her tenderly.

    Here: "I am about to entice her." This is a strong, even risky word, used elsewhere for seducing a young woman (Exod 22:16) and for Delilah coaxing Samson (Judg 16:5). Here God is the one doing the seducing.

  2. Hosea 7:11 פוֹתָ֖ה silly

    So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.

    Here: A participle (an '-ing' form) of the verb 'to be open, naive, easily persuaded'. It is feminine because 'dove' is feminine. It means a bird that can be lured by anything, the same root as the 'simple' person of Proverbs who believes every word.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.