Original Word: פוּךְ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: puwk
Pronunciation: pook
Phonetic Spelling: (pook)
KJV: fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing)
NASB: antimony, paint
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to paint]

1. dye (specifically, stibium for the eyes)

fair colors, glistering, painted

From an unused root meaning to paint; dye (specifically, stibium for the eyes) -- fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing).

Word Origin
perhaps of foreign origin
Definition
antimony, stibium
NASB Translation
antimony (2), paint (1), painted* (1).

מּוּךְ noun [masculine] antimony, stibium (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; compare possibly Arabic open, separate; Syriac pulverize; but מּוּךְ perhaps foreign word); — black mineral powder, for increasing brilliance of eyes by darkening edges of lids; ׳וַתָּשֶׂם בֵּמּ עֵינֶוהָ 2 Kings 9:30, ׳תִּקְרְעִי וגו Jeremiah 4:30; (on practice in Arabic see We^{GGN, 1893, 443}; in Egypt, Lane^{Mod.Egypt.ed. 5, i. 45 f.}); figurative Isaiah 54:11 of dark cement setting off precious stones (but We^{DLZ, Aug. 2, 1890} Che^Hpt and others read נֹפֶךְ q. v.); ׳אַבְנֵי פ 1 Chronicles 29:2 are perhaps stones of brilliant hue of antimony. — compare proper name קֶרֶן הַמּוּךְ, and כָּחַל.

Cultural Background

Finely ground antimony was prized throughout the ancient Near East as a black eye cosmetic and a decorative mortar. Applied with a small stick, it darkened the eyelids, reduced sun-glare, and heightened beauty. Mixed into plaster, it gave a lustrous setting for jewels and colored stones. Both cosmetic and construction uses appear in the Old Testament’s four references to פוּךְ.

Occurrences in Scripture

2 Kings 9:30 — Jezebel “painted her eyes and adorned her head,” seeking to impress Jehu even as judgment approached.

1 Chronicles 29:2 — David gathered “antimony” (BSB margin) among the supplies for the temple, treating it as a precious building material.

Isaiah 54:11 — The Lord promises afflicted Zion, “I will set your stones in antimony,” picturing the city’s future brilliance.

Jeremiah 4:30 — Apostate Jerusalem “enlarges her eyes with paint,” yet her lovers despise her; outward finery cannot avert ruin.

Themes of Adornment and Deception

Jezebel and the wayward city use antimony to project allure and power, but their painted eyes cannot hide guilt. The prophet Jeremiah’s indictment, “you beautify yourself in vain,” exposes a consistent biblical warning: external ornament is futile when the heart opposes God (see also Proverbs 6:25; Revelation 17:4).

Symbolism of Restoration and Glory

Isaiah’s vision reverses the pattern. The very substance misused for vanity is employed by God to embellish redeemed Zion, foreshadowing the radiant foundations of Revelation 21:18–21. Likewise, David’s inclusion of antimony among temple treasures sanctifies the material for worship. What humanity exploits for self-promotion, the Lord transforms into instruments of praise.

Ministry Significance

• Contrast Between Outward Show and Inward Reality — Jezebel and Jerusalem demonstrate that cosmetic religion cannot withstand divine scrutiny (1 Samuel 16:7).

• Consecration of Earthly Resources — David’s example encourages believers to dedicate their best, whether material or giftedness, to the service of God’s house.

• Hope of True Beauty — God promises His people enduring splendor grounded in righteousness, anticipating the Church’s presentation “without stain or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27).

• Call to Inner Adornment — “Your beauty should not be an external one… but the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3-4). The transformation God works within far surpasses any cosmetic applied without.

Related References

2 Kings 9:30; 1 Chronicles 29:2; Isaiah 54:11; Jeremiah 4:30; Proverbs 31:30; Ezekiel 23:40; 1 Peter 3:3–4; Revelation 21:2, 18–21.

בַּפּ֤וּךְ בַּפּוּךְ֙ בַפּוּךְ֙ בפוך פ֣וּךְ פוך bap·pūḵ ḇap·pūḵ bapPuch bappūḵ ḇappūḵ fuch p̄ūḵ vappuChInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts