from פּוּר; a hole (as broken, i.e. dug); [phrase] mole. Compare חֲפֹר.
Transliteration:pêrâh
Pronunciation:pay-raw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word פֵּרָה (*pêrâh*, H6512) is derived from the root פּוּר (*pûr*), which carries the primary meaning of "to break" or "to crush." From this foundational sense, *pêrâh* extends to signify "a hole" as a "broken" or "dug-out" space. Its semantic range thus encompasses the physical excavation. The Strong's definition further extends the meaning to include "mole," referring to the burrowing animal known for creating such holes. This suggests a metonymic extension from the hole itself to the creature that inhabits or creates it. The explicit comparison to חֲפֹר (H2661, *ḥăpōr*), meaning "to dig," reinforces the core concept of excavation and the creation of subterranean spaces.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פֵּרָה (*pêrâh*, H6512) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the book of Isaiah:
* [[Isaiah 2:20]]: "In that day a man will cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which they made for him to worship, to the moles and to the bats."
This verse is situated within a significant prophetic passage (Isaiah 2:6-22) that describes the Day of the Lord, a time of divine judgment and the humbling of human pride. The casting away of idols "to the moles and to the bats" is a powerful, evocative image. Moles (פֵּרָה) are creatures that dwell in darkness, underground, often in desolate or ruined places. Bats are similarly associated with darkness, caves, and places of decay. The act of consigning precious idols—objects of worship and human trust—to such lowly, unclean, and despised creatures signifies their utter worthlessness and the complete abandonment of false worship. It highlights the profound degradation of that which humanity once exalted, emphasizing the futility of idolatry in the face of God's overwhelming majesty and impending judgment. The context underscores a radical shift in allegiance, from self-made gods to the one true God whose glory alone will be exalted.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary root for פֵּרָה (*pêrâh*) is פּוּר (*pûr*), meaning "to break, crush, frustrate." This connection underscores the idea of a hole as a "broken" or "excavated" part of the earth.
Other Hebrew words related to "hole," "pit," or "digging" include:
* בּוֹר (*bôr*, H953): "pit, cistern, well."
* שׁוּחָה (*shūḥāh*, H7882): "pit, ditch."
* מְחִלָּה (*məḥillāh*, H4279): "hole, cavern."
* חֹר (*ḥōr*, H2352): "hole, cave."
* חֲפֹר (*ḥăpōr*, H2661): "to dig, to search." This verb is explicitly noted in the Strong's definition of *pêrâh* as a comparative concept, reinforcing the act of creating a hole.
Conceptually, *pêrâh* is associated with:
* **Darkness and Hiddenness:** Moles live underground, out of sight.
* **Lowliness and Humiliation:** Contrasting with the high places where idols might be worshipped.
* **Desolation and Ruin:** Places where moles and bats might thrive, symbolizing the aftermath of judgment.
* **Uncleanliness:** In Levitical law, certain animals were considered unclean, and places of decay were associated with impurity.
* **Abandonment of False Worship:** The act of casting away idols to such creatures signifies a complete renunciation.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the theological significance of פֵּרָה (*pêrâh*, H6512) in [[Isaiah 2:20]] is profound. It serves as a potent symbol within Isaiah's eschatological vision of the Day of the Lord. This act of casting idols "to the moles and to the bats" vividly portrays the utter humiliation and worthlessness of all human constructs and objects of worship when confronted with the absolute sovereignty and glory of Yahweh.
Theologically, it communicates several key truths:
1. **Divine Judgment:** It underscores the severity of God's judgment against idolatry and human pride. All that exalts itself against God will be brought low.
2. **Futility of Idolatry:** Idols, once revered, are stripped of all perceived power and dignity, relegated to the lowest, most despised places. This demonstrates their inherent inability to save or protect.
3. **Call to Humility:** The imagery implicitly calls humanity to abandon its self-exaltation and the worship of created things, turning instead to the one true God who alone is worthy of worship.
4. **Purification and Cleansing:** The casting away of idols signifies a divine act of cleansing, removing all that is impure and offensive from the land in preparation for God's righteous reign.
5. **Exaltation of God Alone:** The ultimate outcome of this judgment is the exclusive exaltation of the Lord, as explicitly stated in the surrounding verses of Isaiah 2.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פֵּרָה (*pêrâh*, H6512), meaning "a hole" or, by extension, "mole," derives from a root signifying "to break." Its singular, yet highly impactful, appearance in [[Isaiah 2:20]] is deeply symbolic. Here, the casting away of idols "to the moles and to the bats" serves as a powerful prophetic image of the Day of the Lord. It signifies the complete humiliation and utter worthlessness of all false worship and human pride in the face of God's impending judgment. The imagery evokes the lowest, darkest, and most despised places, underscoring the futility of trusting in anything other than the Almighty God. Thus, *pêrâh* contributes to a core biblical theme: the exclusive sovereignty of Yahweh and the ultimate downfall of all that opposes His glory, compelling humanity to renounce idolatry and embrace true humility before the divine.
TRV