Original Word: פָתִיל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: pathiyl
Pronunciation: pah-THEEL
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-theel')
KJV: bound, bracelet, lace, line, ribband, thread, wire
NASB: cord, cords, line, string, threads, tied down
Word Origin: [from H6617 (פָּתַל - show yourself astute)]

1. twine

bound, bracelet, lace, line, ribbon, thread, wire

From pathal; twine -- bound, bracelet, lace, line, ribband, thread, wire.

see HEBREW pathal

Word Origin
from pathal
Definition
cord, thread
NASB Translation
cord (6), cords (1), line (1), string (1), threads (1), tied down (1).

מָּתִיל noun masculine^{Judges 16:9} cord, thread (twisted); — absolute ׳פ Numbers 19:15; constructמְּתִיל Judges 16:9 +; suffix מְּתִילֶ֑ךָ Genesis 38:18; plural מְּתִילִים Genesis 38:25, מְּתִילִם Exodus 39:3; — cord (from which seal was hung) Genesis 38:18,25(J), ׳פ נְעֹרֶת Judges 16:9 (simile), מִּשְׁתִּים ׳פ Ezekiel 40:3 (as measuring line); תְּכֵלֶת ׳פ, for fastening, Exodus 28:28,37; Exodus 39:21,31; Numbers 15:38, compare מָּתִיל alone Numbers 19:15 (perhaps gloss, see Di); threads (of gold) in ephod Exodus 39:3 (all P).

Essential Idea

פָתִיל (Strong’s 6616) denotes a slender, twisted strand—whether of linen, wool or other fibers—employed for binding, fastening, ornamentation, or measurement. Its occurrences span patriarchal narrative, priestly legislation, civic law, historical narrative, and prophetic vision, weaving a subtle yet instructive thread through salvation history.

Uses in Scripture

1. Personal Pledge and Identification – Genesis 38:18, 25

Judah’s seal, cord, and staff function as undeniable tokens identifying the father of Tamar’s child. The cord (p̱athil) forms part of a triad of personal items equivalent to today’s signature and legal seal. The narrative highlights the seriousness of pledges and prefigures God’s own pledge-keeping faithfulness.

2. Priestly Vestments – Exodus 28:28, 28:37; 39:3, 39:21, 39:31

In the Tabernacle texts the cord secures the breastpiece to the ephod, fastens the gold plate of holiness to the turban, and binds woven gold into the priestly garments. The repeated pairing of gold and blue cords underlines the union of heavenly authority and earthly mediation vested in Aaron and his sons. P̱athil becomes a visible reminder that priestly ministry must be held together by what God specifies, not by human innovation.

3. Covenant Reminder for All Israel – Numbers 15:38

Every Israelite was to place tassels on garment corners “with a cord of blue,” so that, as the phrases it, “you will remember and obey all My commandments.” The individual Israelite wore a miniature, democratized version of the priest’s blue cord, testifying that holiness is not monopolized by clergy but is mandated for the whole covenant community. Jesus later wore such tassels (Matthew 9:20), signaling His perfect obedience.

4. Purity in Ordinary Life – Numbers 19:15

The command that “every open vessel with no lid fastened with a cord is unclean” extends the significance of p̱athil into the mundane. Holiness regulations penetrate kitchens and workshops, urging continual vigilance lest impurity spread. Sealing a container with a cord symbolized intentional separation from defilement.

5. Test of Strength and Deception – Judges 16:9

Delilah binds Samson “with seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried.” Though the material is sinew rather than fiber, Scripture still calls them p̱athilim, underscoring their cord-like form. Samson’s easy escape exposes Delilah’s deceit and the folly of a Nazarite flirting with entanglement. The episode foreshadows the cords of sin that only a deliverer might ultimately break (Isaiah 52:2).

6. Prophetic Measuring Instrument – Ezekiel 40:3

In the hand of the heavenly man appears “a linen cord and a measuring rod,” designating temple boundaries. The cord, flexible yet accurate, functions alongside the rigid rod, illustrating the complementary nature of mercy and judgment in God’s future restoration.

Theological and Ministry Significance

Identification and Accountability

From Judah’s pledge to Ezekiel’s vision, cords secure identity—human or divine. In ministry contexts, leaders should maintain transparent identifiers (2 Corinthians 4:2), ensuring their confession and conduct match.

Binding to Holiness

The priestly cords attach essential pieces of the high priest’s attire, signifying that ministry components (calling, gifting, character) must be interlaced by divinely prescribed connections. Churches today bind doctrine, worship, and service to Christ’s own standard, lest the breastpiece of judgment slip from the ephod of service.

Corporate Priesthood

The blue cord on every citizen’s tassel teaches that all believers share a priestly vocation (1 Peter 2:9). Discipleship therefore equips each saint to remember, obey, and witness, not merely to observe clergy doing so.

Guarding from Defilement

Numbers 19:15 reminds households to “tie down the lid.” Spiritual counterparts include guarding thought-life, relationships, and media intake. Unfastened vessels still exist—phones, computers, conversations—requiring intentional cords of accountability.

Freedom from Ensnaring Cords

Samson’s account warns against recreational bondage. Yet the Gospel proclaims, “The cords of death entangled me… but the LORD delivers” (Psalm 18:4-6). Pastoral care helps believers recognize, confess, and break cords of secret sin through the superior strength of Christ.

Measuring Future Hope

Ezekiel’s linen cord anticipates precise fulfillment of divine promises. Eschatology is not vague; God’s salvation plan has measurable dimensions. Preaching the prophets nurtures confidence that the Lord who marked the future temple will complete the living temple of His Church.

Practical Applications

• Employ visible reminders—journals, Scripture art, even literal blue threads—to prompt obedience as tassels once did.
• Review ministry structures: are programs lashed together by God’s directives or human convenience?
• Encourage membership vows; like Judah’s cord, public commitments foster integrity.
• In counseling, explore “cord” metaphors: what binds the counselee, and what divine means sever it?
• Teach eschatology with specificity, echoing the measuring cord’s precision, building resilient hope.

Summary

Though slender, פָתִיל traces an unbroken line through Scripture, binding identity, worship, obedience, purity, strength, and prophetic assurance. Its multiple appearances invite God’s people to fasten every aspect of life and ministry to His revealed pattern, confident that what He ties none can loose, and what He looses none can bind.

בִּפְתִ֣יל בפתיל וְהַפְּתִילִ֛ים וּפְתִילֶ֔ךָ וּפְתִיל־ והפתילים ופתיל־ ופתילך פְּתִ֣יל פְּתִ֥יל פְּתִֽיל־ פְּתִילִם֒ פָּתִ֖יל פתיל פתיל־ פתילם bifTil bip̄·ṯîl bip̄ṯîl pā·ṯîl paTil pāṯîl pə·ṯî·lim pə·ṯîl pə·ṯîl- peTil pəṯîl pəṯîl- petiLim pəṯîlim ū·p̄ə·ṯî·le·ḵā ū·p̄ə·ṯîl- ufetil ufetiLecha ūp̄əṯîl- ūp̄əṯîleḵā vehappetiLim wə·hap·pə·ṯî·lîm wəhappəṯîlîmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts