pa.tach describes opening doors, gates, containers, bodily faculties, and other barriers, sometimes extending to release or provision.

The attested usage most often concerns making a closed physical entrance, container, or passage accessible; it also describes opened eyes, ears, mouths, and wombs, the loosening of restraints, provision to the needy, and openings associated with water, heavens, graves, or land.

1. Opening entrances, doors, and containers · dominant

   This is shown in clauses involving doors, gates, windows, pits, sacks, and granaries. In 1 Samuel 3:15 the APB renders Samuel's action as opening the doors; in Genesis 43:21 it renders the travelers' action as opening their sacks; and in Isaiah 26:2 it renders the imperative as “Open the gates.”

   1 Samuel 3:152 Kings 13:17Exodus 21:33Genesis 43:21Genesis 44:11Isaiah 26:2
2. Opening bodily faculties or reproductive capacity · common

   The verb occurs with a womb, mouth, eyes, and ears. In Genesis 29:31 the APB renders the clause “he opened her womb”; in Ezekiel 3:27 it renders the promised action “I will open your mouth”; and in Isaiah 35:5 it renders the opening of blind eyes and deaf ears.

   Genesis 29:31Daniel 10:16Ezekiel 3:27Ezekiel 24:27Ezekiel 33:22Isaiah 35:5
3. Loosening or releasing restraints · occasional

   Several Piel or reflexive forms occur where restraints, clothing, or a person's confinement are removed. In Jeremiah 40:4 the APB renders the speaker's action as “I have released you today from the chains,” while Isaiah 52:2 addresses captive Zion with “open the bonds from your neck.”

   Isaiah 20:2Isaiah 52:2Isaiah 58:6Jeremiah 40:4Job 12:18
4. Opening resources or access for others · occasional

   The term can mark access or availability rather than a literal door. In Deuteronomy 15:11, the Qal forms stand in the command to open the hand to an afflicted and needy brother; in Deuteronomy 20:11, a city “opens to you” after answering peace; and in Isaiah 60:11 the APB presents gates standing open continually.

   Deuteronomy 15:11Deuteronomy 20:11Isaiah 22:22Isaiah 60:11
5. Opening natural or large-scale spaces · occasional

   The verb is used of spaces from which rain, water, or those in graves emerge. In Deuteronomy 28:12 the APB renders the heavens being opened to give rain, in Ezekiel 1:1 the heavens are opened before visions are seen, and in Ezekiel 37:12 graves are opened before the people are brought up.

   Genesis 7:11Deuteronomy 28:12Ezekiel 1:1Ezekiel 37:12Isaiah 41:18Isaiah 45:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly uses “open” or “opened” for entrances, containers, bodily faculties, and natural spaces. It also uses “released,” “loose,” and “unleashed” in restraint or access contexts; These are presentations of the clauses rather than fixed renderings of the lemma.