The Hebrew word pârâʼ, represented by H6500, is a primitive root meaning to bear fruit or be fruitful. It is a very specific term, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible.
In its sole biblical appearance, H6500 is used to describe a state of prosperity that is subject to judgment. In Hosea 13:15, the text states, "Though he be fruitful among his brethren." This condition of fruitfulness, however, is immediately contrasted with a coming "east wind" from the LORD that will dry up springs and spoil treasures, signifying a complete and devastating reversal of fortune.
Several related words from its context in Hosea 13:15 help clarify its meaning:
- H251 ʼâch (brother): This primitive word defines a brother, often in a wide sense of relationship or metaphorical affinity. The subject of Hosea 13:15 is described as fruitful specifically "among his brethren," establishing a communal context for his prosperity and subsequent fall.
- H2717 chârab (to parch): A root word meaning to desolate, destroy, or be dry. It stands in direct opposition to being fruitful, describing how the subject's fountain "shall be dried up" Hosea 13:15. The same word is used to describe how nations that do not serve God will be "utterly wasted" Isaiah 60:12.
- H8154 shâçâh (to plunder): This word means to plunder or spoil. It describes the ultimate outcome of the judgment in Hosea 13:15, where "he shall spoil the treasure." It is elsewhere used to describe the spoilers to whom the LORD delivers His people for judgment Judges 2:14.
The theological weight of H6500 is derived entirely from its singular, powerful context.
- Conditional Prosperity: The use of H6500 in Hosea 13:15 illustrates that fruitfulness or prosperity can be temporary and is subject to God's authority. The blessing of being fruitful is immediately followed by the certainty of judgment.
- The Agency of Divine Judgment: The reversal of fruitfulness is directly attributed to "the wind of the LORD" Hosea 13:15. This demonstrates that God is the agent who can both grant prosperity and bring about desolation.
- A State Before a Fall: In its only scriptural context, being fruitful is not presented as a final, secure state, but as a prelude to destruction. The verse implies that this very condition precedes a complete spoiling of all pleasant vessels.
In summary, H6500 is a highly specific term for being fruitful. Its singular use in scripture is not to celebrate prosperity, but to serve as a powerful warning. It frames fruitfulness as a transient condition that, in the context of Hosea 13:15, exists only as the precursor to a swift and complete judgment brought about by the LORD.
TRV