פ
Final form: ף
Pey
Mouth, speech, word, breath, expression
Pey (פ) is the seventeenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and its ancient pictographic form was a mouth — open and speaking. This makes Pey the letter of speech, communication, and the creative power of words. In Hebrew thought, words are not merely sounds — they are creative forces. God spoke the world into existence ('And God said, let there be light'), and human speech carries a reflection of that divine creative power. Pey teaches us that our words matter profoundly: they can build up or tear down, bless or curse, give life or bring death.
How to Pronounce Pey
Pey makes a 'P' sound with a dagesh (פּ) and an 'F' sound without it (פ). It has a final form (ף).
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Ancient Pictographic Form
The ancient Pey was drawn as an open mouth. It evolved through Phoenician into the Greek Pi (Π) and the Latin P.
Pictograph: An open mouth
Spiritual Significance
Pey represents the power of speech and the mouth as an instrument of creation. Proverbs 18:21 says 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue' — the tongue that sits within the mouth (Pey). The shape of Pey contains a small Bet inside, suggesting that within every word (Pey/mouth) there is a house (Bet) — our words build the dwelling places of our lives.
Connection to Scripture
God created through speech — 'And God said' (vayomer) appears throughout Genesis 1. Passover (Pesach, פֶּסַח) — the foundational redemption story — begins with Pey. 'By the word of the LORD the heavens were made' (Psalm 33:6).
Words That Begin with Pey
Peh
Mouth
Panim
Face
Pesach
Passover
Pri
Fruit
Parashah
Torah portion
Modern Hebrew Usage
In modern Hebrew, Pey appears in words like פֶּה (peh, mouth), פָּנִים (panim, face), פֶּסַח (Pesach, Passover), and פְּרִי (pri, fruit).
People Also Ask
What does the Hebrew letter Pey symbolize?
Pey symbolizes the mouth and the power of speech. Its ancient pictograph was an open mouth. In Hebrew thought, words are creative forces — God spoke creation into existence, and our words carry power to build up or tear down.
What is the difference between Pey and Fey?
Pey (פּ) with a dagesh dot makes a 'P' sound. Without the dagesh, it's called Fey (פ) and makes an 'F' sound. The final form (ף) is used at the end of words. This dual pronunciation is part of the BeGaD KePhaT group.
Fun Fact
The word 'Pesach' (Passover) is sometimes interpreted as 'Peh-Sach' — 'the mouth speaks.' Passover is celebrated by telling the story (the Haggadah), emphasizing the power of speech and narrative in transmitting faith.
Learn the Hebrew Alphabet Step by Step
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew. Daily lessons delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe Free