The Hebrew word Paʻăray, represented by H6474, is a proper name meaning yawning; Paarai, an Israelite. It is a very specific term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the biblical text. Its sole purpose is to identify a particular individual.
The single appearance of Paʻăray is in a list of King David's mighty men found in 2 Samuel 23:35. In this verse, he is identified as “Paarai the Arbite,” indicating he was a native of Arab. He is listed alongside another warrior, “Hezrai the Carmelite,” establishing his place among the honored heroes who served David.
While not a term with deep theological weight, the inclusion of Paʻăray carries significance in the biblical narrative.
- Historical Preservation: The name Paarai is preserved in scripture to honor the identity and service of one of David's mighty men.
- Geographic Diversity: By identifying Paarai as “the Arbite,” the text highlights that David's elite warriors were drawn from various locations and clans within Israel.
- Scribal Context: The presence of Paarai in the 2 Samuel 23:35 list, compared to a different name in the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 11:37, provides insight into the transmission of biblical texts.
In summary, Paʻăray is the proper name Paʻăray, identifying one of David's mighty men. Its significance is not found in a broad theological concept but in its specific, singular role within the historical record of David's kingdom. The name is preserved in 2 Samuel 23:35, cementing the identity of Paarai the Arbite as one of the heroes of ancient Israel.
