feminine passive participle of פָּרַד; something separated, i.e. a kernel; seed.
Transliteration:pᵉrudâh
Pronunciation:per-oo-daw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פְּרֻדָה (pᵉrudâh, `{{H6507}}`) is a feminine passive participle derived from the root פָּרַד (pārad, `{{H6504}}`), which signifies "to divide," "to separate," or "to part." As a passive participle, pᵉrudâh literally means "that which has been separated" or "a separated thing." Its semantic range, as defined, narrows this general concept to a specific application: "a kernel" or "seed." This implies a small, distinct unit that has been detached or isolated from a larger whole, such as a single grain separated from a stalk or a kernel from a cob. The word thus encapsulates both the action of separation and the resulting distinct entity, emphasizing its individuality and potential for new life or sustenance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פְּרֻדָה (pᵉrudâh, `{{H6507}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Haggai:
* **[[Haggai 2:16]]**: "Before these things came to pass, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the work of your hands; yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD. Consider from this day onward... from the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid... Is the seed (הַעוֹד הַזֶּרַע בַּמֶּגּוּרָה) yet in the barn?"
In this solitary occurrence, Haggai is prophesying to the returned exiles in Judah, urging them to prioritize the rebuilding of the Temple. He recounts the agricultural struggles and lack of prosperity they have experienced, attributing these hardships to their neglect of God's house. The phrase "Is the seed yet in the barn?" (הַעוֹד הַזֶּרַע בַּמֶּגּוּרָה) uses pᵉrudâh in conjunction with zera (`{{H2233}}`, the more common word for "seed" or "offspring"). While zera is the general term for seed, the inclusion of pᵉrudâh here, often translated as "seed" or "grain," specifically refers to the harvested kernels that should be stored in the barn. The rhetorical question highlights the severe scarcity: is there even enough of the basic, separated kernels of grain left from the meager harvest to put into storage for the future, let alone for immediate sustenance or planting? The context is one of divine judgment manifested as agricultural blight and lack, contrasting sharply with the promise of future blessing once the people commit to God's work. The "separated kernel" thus represents the fundamental unit of their agricultural yield, tragically diminished.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root from which pᵉrudâh is derived: פָּרַד (pārad, `{{H6504}}`). This root appears frequently in various contexts, consistently conveying the idea of separation, division, or parting. Examples include:
* The parting of Abraham and Lot ([[Genesis 13:9]]).
* The division of the waters of the Red Sea ([[Exodus 14:21]]).
* The separation of the Levites for service ([[Numbers 16:9]]).
This etymological connection underscores that pᵉrudâh is not just "seed" in a general sense, but specifically "separated seed" or "a distinct kernel," emphasizing its individual nature and the process by which it came to be distinct.
Another crucial related term is זֶרַע (zera, `{{H2233}}`), the most common Hebrew word for "seed," which can refer to planting seed, harvested grain, or even human offspring. While zera is a broad term, pᵉrudâh offers a more specific nuance. In [[Haggai 2:16]], the combination "הַזֶּרַע פְּרֻדָה" (the seed, the separated thing) might be interpreted as "the very kernels of grain" or "the individual seeds," emphasizing the minimal nature of what little harvest remains. Other related concepts include פְּרִי (pᵉrî, `{{H6529}}`), "fruit" or "produce," which represents the outcome of the seed, and תְּבוּאָה (tᵉvû'āh, `{{H8393}}`), "produce" or "yield," a broader term for agricultural output. The distinctness of pᵉrudâh lies in its emphasis on the individual, separated unit of grain, highlighting its fundamental nature as sustenance.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of פְּרֻדָה (pᵉrudâh, `{{H6507}}`) in [[Haggai 2:16]] carries profound theological weight.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Creation and Sustenance**: The passage explicitly states that the lack of pᵉrudâh (seed/grain) in the barns is a direct result of God's action ("I struck you with blight and mildew and hail"). This powerfully asserts God's absolute control over the natural world and the agricultural cycles that sustain human life. He is the one who grants or withholds the harvest, even down to the individual kernels.
2. **Consequences of Disobedience and Misplaced Priorities**: The scarcity of pᵉrudâh serves as a tangible sign of divine displeasure. The people's neglect of rebuilding the Temple, prioritizing their own houses and pursuits, led to a withholding of God's blessing on their labors. The diminished pᵉrudâh in the barn is a direct consequence of their spiritual apathy and disobedience.
3. **Call to Repentance and Promise of Restoration**: The rhetorical question about the pᵉrudâh in the barn is not merely a lament but a catalyst for reflection. It prompts the people to "consider from this day onward" ([[Haggai 2:18]]) their ways. Implicit in the judgment is the promise of restoration: if they turn back to God and complete the Temple, the very same God who withheld the pᵉrudâh will bless their crops and fill their barns. This highlights the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience leads to blessing and disobedience to hardship.
4. **The Value of Each Unit of Provision**: The specific use of pᵉrudâh – a "separated kernel" – subtly underscores the value of even the smallest unit of God's provision. The lack is so severe that even these individual kernels are scarce, emphasizing the totality of the judgment and the preciousness of what is withheld.
### Summary
פְּרֻדָה (pᵉrudâh, `{{H6507}}`) is a unique Hebrew term, a feminine passive participle meaning "that which has been separated," specifically referring to a "kernel" or "seed." Its single biblical occurrence in [[Haggai 2:16]] is highly significant. In this context, pᵉrudâh refers to the meager, individual kernels of grain harvested and stored, highlighting the severe agricultural scarcity experienced by the post-exilic community. This lack is presented as a direct consequence of their disobedience and neglect of God's Temple, demonstrating divine sovereignty over sustenance and the direct link between spiritual fidelity and material blessing. The word, though rare, powerfully conveys the tangible impact of God's judgment and the promise of His restorative grace upon repentance, emphasizing the value of even the smallest units of divine provision.
TRV