H6443 H6443
precious stones, corals, or pearls; gems of great value used figuratively for wisdom and a worthy wife
A plural noun פְּנִינִים whose exact mineralogical referent remains debated — variously identified as corals (branching red sea-growth), pearls, or rubies. What is clear from every context is supreme value. The word appears almost exclusively in comparative statements: wisdom is 'more precious than peninim' (Prov 3:15; 8:11), a noble wife's worth 'far exceeds peninim' (Prov 31:10), and true wisdom cannot be purchased with them (Job 28:18). Lamentations uses them for their red color, comparing the ruddy complexion of Zion's nobles to these gems (Lam 4:7). Spanish más-que-perlas and French perle converge on the pearl identification.
Senses
1. precious stones (pearls, corals, jewels) — Precious stones of exceptional value — possibly red corals, pearls, or rubies (the exact identification remains uncertain). The Arabic cognate fanan ('branch') supports the coral interpretation, while traditional Jewish commentary favored pearls. Nearly every occurrence is comparative: wisdom surpasses them in worth (Prov 3:15; 8:11), a noble wife's value exceeds them (Prov 31:10), and they cannot purchase true understanding (Job 28:18; Prov 20:15). Lamentations 4:7 uniquely references their reddish hue, comparing Zion's princes to peninim in complexion — evidence favoring the red coral identification. Spanish más-que-corales alongside más-que-perlas reflects the ongoing translation ambiguity. 7×
AR["(مِنْ-اللُّؤْلُؤِ)", "[مِنْ-اللُّؤْلُؤِ]", "لآلِئَ", "مِنَ-اللؤلؤِ", "مِنَ-اللُّؤْلُؤِ", "مِنْ-اللُّؤْلُؤِ"]·ben["-এর-থেকে-মুক্তা", "-মুক্তার-চেয়ে", "কেরী", "প্রবালের-চেয়ে", "মুক্তা", "মুক্তার-চেয়ে"]·DE["[(מפנינים)]", "[[מפניים]]", "[מפנינים]", "[פנינים]"]·EN["[ketiv]", "above-jewels", "more-than-corals", "pearls", "than-jewels", "than-pearls"]·FR["[מפנינים]", "de-perle", "perle"]·heb["מ-פנינים", "פנינים"]·HI["मूंगे-से-अधिक", "मोतियों-से", "मोतियों-से-अधिक", "मोती"]·ID["[ketiv]", "dari-mutiara", "daripada-permata", "mutiara"]·IT["[מפנינים]", "da-perla", "perla"]·jav["katimbang-mutyara", "langkung-saking-mirah", "langkung-saking-mutiara", "mutiara", "saking-mutiara"]·KO["[크타브]", "보석들이", "산호-보다", "진주-들-보다", "진주들-보다", "진주보다"]·PT["[ketiv]", "de-pérolas", "do-que-pérolas", "mais-que-corais", "pérolas", "que-perolas", "é-mais-que-pérolas."]·RU["(более-жемчуга),", "[ктив:мипаниьим]", "больше-кораллов", "больше-чем-жемчуг", "выше-жемчуга", "жемчуга,", "жемчужин"]·ES["[más-que-perlas]", "más-que-corales", "más-que-perlas", "que-perlas", "rubíes"]·SW["kuliko-almasi", "kuliko-lulu", "kuliko-marijani", "lulu", "ni-zaidi-ya-lulu", "zaidi-ya-lulu"]·TR["[kere]", "inciler", "incilerden", "incilerden-üstündür", "mercandan"]·urd["(موتیوں-سے)", "[موتیوں-سے]", "سے-موتیوں", "موتی", "موتیوں-سے", "موتیوں-سے بڑھکر ہے"]
Related Senses
H4325 1. water, waters (582×)H6965b 1. Qal: to rise, arise, get up (432×)H2091 1. gold (the metal) (389×)H0068 1. stone, rock (material/object) (267×)H5178a 1. bronze/copper as metal (131×)H6083 1. dust, dry earth, soil (108×)H8313 1. burn, set fire to (94×)H2734 1. anger was kindled (82×)G5204 1. water (80×)H2822 1. darkness, absence of light (80×)G5457 1. light (illumination) (71×)G0450 1. rise, stand up (physical) (69×)H6965b 2. Qal: to stand firm, endure, be valid (50×)H6999a 2. burn sacrifice on altar (Hifil) (45×)H5553 1. rock, cliff (physical feature) (43×)H6965b 4. Hifil: to establish, confirm (covenant/kingdom/word) (40×)H1197a 1. burn, be on fire (39×)H4306 1. rain, showers (38×)H1653 1. rain, precipitation (34×)G4655 1. darkness (30×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† פְּנִינִים n.[f.]pl. corals (? as branching, cf. Arabic فَنَنٌ branch of tree; so Mich Thes al.; > pearls BoHieroz. 601 Di Jb after Ra al.);—פ׳ fig. of value Pr 20:15; usu.מִפּ׳, comp. Jb 28:18; Pr 3:15 (Kt מפניים), 8:11; 31:10 (all of value), La 4:7 (of red colour); + ψ 45:14 (perhaps; for פְּנִימָה, q.v.).