or פָּר; from פָּרַר; a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof); ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox.
Transliteration:par
Pronunciation:par
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma פַּר (par, `{{H6499}}`) primarily designates a "bullock," "bull," or "ox." Its etymological root is פָּרַר (parar, `{{H6565}}`), which carries meanings such as "to break," "to annul," or "to divide." This etymological connection offers two primary interpretations for the animal's designation: either it refers to the "breaking forth in wild strength" characteristic of a young bull, emphasizing its vigor and untamed power, or it alludes to the "dividing of the hoof," a distinctive feature of clean animals suitable for sacrifice. The semantic range of פַּר thus encompasses a young, often uncastrated, male bovine, typically associated with strength and, crucially, with ritual purity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פַּר appears frequently throughout the Old Testament, overwhelmingly in contexts related to sacrificial worship. Its prominence in the cultic system underscores its significance in Israelite religious life.
* **Sin Offerings (חַטָּאת `{{H2403}}`):** The פַּר was the prescribed animal for significant sin offerings, particularly for the high priest or the entire congregation, signifying the gravity of their offenses. [[Leviticus 4:3]] mandates a "young bull without blemish" for the high priest's sin, while [[Leviticus 4:14]] specifies a פַּר for the sin of the whole community. This highlights the substantial nature of the offering required for corporate or leadership transgression. Further examples include [[Leviticus 9:2]] and [[Numbers 15:24]].
* **Burnt Offerings (עֹלָה `{{H5930}}`):** While less common than for sin offerings, פַּר could also be offered as a burnt offering, symbolizing complete dedication to God. [[Leviticus 1:5]] mentions it as an option for those able to afford it. The dedication of the Tabernacle in [[Numbers 7]] also features numerous פָּרִים as part of the princes' lavish offerings.
* **Fellowship/Peace Offerings (שְׁלָמִים `{{H8002}}`):** פַּר could be used for peace offerings, which celebrated communion and gratitude, as seen in [[Leviticus 3:1]].
* **Day of Atonement (יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים):** On this most solemn day, a פַּר was central to Aaron's personal sin offering, demonstrating the need for atonement even for the high priest himself before he could mediate for the people. [[Leviticus 16:3]], [[Leviticus 16:6]], [[Leviticus 16:11]], and [[Leviticus 16:18]] detail this crucial ritual.
* **Red Heifer (פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה):** While the feminine form פָּרָה (parah, `{{H6510}}`) is used, the ritual of the red heifer in [[Numbers 19:2]] is intrinsically linked, providing water of purification for defilement by a corpse.
* **Non-Sacrificial Contexts:** Though rare, פַּר can appear metaphorically. [[Hosea 14:2]] uses "the fruit of our lips instead of bulls" to signify that sincere praise is more valuable than animal sacrifice, anticipating a shift in worship. [[Psalm 69:31]] speaks of pleasing the Lord more than "a bull with horns and hooves," emphasizing the value of spiritual offerings.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of פַּר is enriched by understanding its relationship to other terms for cattle and sacrificial concepts:
* **פָּרָה (parah, `{{H6510}}`):** This is the direct feminine counterpart to פַּר, meaning "heifer." Its most notable appearance is in the unique purification ritual of the red heifer in [[Numbers 19]].
* **עֵגֶל (egel, `{{H5695}}`):** Meaning "calf," this term typically refers to a younger bovine than פַּר. It is famously associated with the idolatrous golden calf in [[Exodus 32:4]].
* **שׁוֹר (shor, `{{H7794}}`):** A more general term for "ox" or "cattle," encompassing both male and female, and various ages. פַּר can be seen as a specific type of שׁוֹר, emphasizing its youth and vigor.
* **בָּקָר (baqar, `{{H1241}}`):** This is a collective noun for "herd" or "cattle," referring to bovines generally.
* **Sacrifice (זֶבַח `{{H2077}}`, קָרְבָּן `{{H7133}}`):** These broader terms for offerings and sacrifices are the primary conceptual framework within which פַּר is understood.
* **Atonement (כָּפַר `{{H3722}}`):** The core theological purpose often associated with the sacrifice of a פַּר, particularly in sin offerings, is the covering or expiation of sin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פַּר is profound, largely due to its central role in the Israelite sacrificial system, particularly for atonement.
* **Atonement for Grievous Sin:** The פַּר was mandated for the most serious sins—those of the high priest or the entire congregation. This highlights the gravity of sin in God's eyes and the substantial offering required to make expiation. The costliness of the animal underscored the immense spiritual debt incurred by sin.
* **Purity and Holiness:** The meticulous regulations surrounding the sacrifice of a פַּר (e.g., "without blemish," specific rituals for its blood and disposition) emphasized God's absolute holiness and the necessity of purity for those who would approach Him. The offering served to cleanse and restore the community to a state of ritual purity, enabling continued fellowship with God.
* **Substitutionary Atonement:** The death of the פַּר on the altar served as a substitute for the life of the sinning individual or community. Its blood, sprinkled and poured, symbolized the life given to cover sin, prefiguring the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice.
* **Anticipation of Christ:** The repeated and costly sacrifices of פָּרִים and other animals in the Old Covenant, while temporarily covering sins, could not ultimately take them away ([[Hebrews 10:4]]). These rituals served as a pedagogical shadow, pointing forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God who definitively removes the sin of the world ([[John 1:29]]). Christ's offering fulfills and transcends the Old Testament sacrifices, providing true and eternal atonement.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פַּר (par, `{{H6499}}`) designates a bullock or young bull, a term rooted in concepts of strength or ritual purity. Its most significant usage in the Hebrew Bible is within the elaborate sacrificial system, where it served as a primary animal for sin offerings, particularly for the high priest or the entire Israelite community. This role underscores the gravity of sin and the substantial means required for its atonement. Related to פָּרָה (heifer) and other bovine terms, פַּר functions within a complex vocabulary of ritual purity. Theologically, the sacrifice of the פַּר powerfully illustrates the principles of substitutionary atonement, the costliness of sin, and the absolute holiness of God. Ultimately, these Old Covenant rituals, centered on the פַּר, served as a profound foreshadowing of the perfect and complete redemption achieved through the singular, ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
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