passive participle of פָּרַר in the sense of spreading out (compare פָּרַח); a skillet (as flat or deep); pan, pot.
Transliteration:pârûwr
Pronunciation:paw-roor'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פָּרוּר (pârûwr, `{{H6517}}`) designates a type of cooking vessel, specifically identified as a skillet, pan, or pot. Its etymological root is intriguing, stemming from the passive participle of פָּרַר (pârâr, `{{H6565}}`), which primarily means "to break," "to frustrate," or "to make void." However, in the context of פָּרוּר, the Strong's definition specifies a sense of "spreading out," drawing a comparison to פָּרַח (pârâch, `{{H6524}}`), "to blossom" or "to spread." This suggests that a פָּרוּר might have been a vessel designed for contents to spread out, perhaps a flatter pan, or one where heat distribution allowed for even cooking or expansion of food. Functionally, it served as a fundamental implement for food preparation within ancient Israelite households and sacrificial contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פָּרוּר (pârûwr, `{{H6517}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance providing a distinct context for its use:
1. **[[1 Samuel 2:13]]**: This verse describes the corrupt practices of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, concerning the priests' portion of the sacrifices. It states, "For the custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fleshhook in his hand, and he would thrust it into the pan (פָּרוּר), or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest would take for himself." Here, the פָּרוּר is listed among other boiling vessels (kettle, caldron, pot) used in the preparation of sacrificial meat. Its inclusion highlights its role in the sacred ritual, albeit in a context marred by priestly abuse. It underscores that even the mundane tools of worship were subject to the integrity (or lack thereof) of those ministering.
2. **[[Numbers 11:8]]**: This passage describes the manner in which the Israelites prepared the manna provided by God in the wilderness. "The people went about and gathered it and ground it in mills or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots (פָּרוּר) or made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil." In this instance, the פָּרוּר is a common cooking vessel used for daily sustenance. It signifies the practical, everyday application of this utensil in the lives of the Israelites, transforming the miraculous manna into edible forms.
These two occurrences demonstrate the dual nature of the פָּרוּר: a vessel used both in the solemnity of ritual sacrifice and in the ordinary course of daily life, particularly for boiling.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related words are the suggested roots of פָּרוּר:
* **פָּרַר (pârâr, `{{H6565}}`)**: While its core meaning is "to break" or "to frustrate," its connection to פָּרוּר in the sense of "spreading out" suggests a semantic development. This could imply a vessel where contents are broken down or spread open, or perhaps a vessel that facilitates the breaking forth or spreading of a substance (like dough rising or liquid boiling).
* **פָּרַח (pârâch, `{{H6524}}`)**: Meaning "to blossom" or "to spread," this root more directly aligns with the "spreading out" aspect of the פָּרוּר. It might allude to the shape of the pan (flat and wide) or its function in allowing food to expand or cook evenly across a surface.
Other Hebrew words for cooking vessels that appear in Scripture include:
* **סִיר (sîr, `{{H5518}}`)**: A general term for a pot or kettle, often used for boiling.
* **קַלַּחַת (qallachath, `{{H7037}}`)**: A caldron or boiling pot, mentioned alongside פָּרוּר in [[1 Samuel 2:13]].
* **דּוּד (dûd, `{{H1731}}`)**: Another term for a pot or basket, often larger.
The specific nuance of פָּרוּר, with its etymological link to "spreading," might suggest a vessel with a particular shape or function distinct from these more general terms, perhaps a shallower pan or skillet designed for a broader cooking surface.
### Theological Significance
Though a humble domestic object, the פָּרוּר (pârûwr, `{{H6517}}`) carries subtle theological weight through its biblical contexts:
1. **Divine Provision and Sustenance**: In the account of the manna in [[Numbers 11:8]], the פָּרוּר becomes a symbol of God's faithful and miraculous provision for His people in the wilderness. The manna, a supernatural gift, was prepared in ordinary human vessels, illustrating how the divine sustains the mundane. It underscores God's intimate involvement in the daily lives and physical needs of His covenant people.
2. **Sacred and Profane**: The use of the פָּרוּר in the sacrificial system ([[1 Samuel 2:13]]) highlights the intersection of the sacred and the everyday. While the vessel itself is neutral, its role in preparing offerings for the Lord imbues it with a certain sacred association. Tragically, in the narrative of Eli's sons, the פָּרוּר becomes a silent witness to the desecration of sacred rituals through human greed and disregard for God's commands. This serves as a stark reminder that even the most ordinary instruments used in divine service require reverence and purity of heart.
3. **God's Attention to Detail**: The very mention of such a specific cooking utensil, alongside others, demonstrates the meticulous nature of biblical narrative and, by extension, God's comprehensive engagement with humanity. No detail of human life, whether daily sustenance or ritual worship, is beneath divine notice or outside the scope of His overarching plan.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פָּרוּר (pârûwr, `{{H6517}}`) denotes a cooking vessel, specifically a pan or pot, whose etymology suggests a connection to the idea of "spreading out." Its two biblical occurrences provide significant insight: in [[Numbers 11:8]], it symbolizes God's faithful provision of manna for daily sustenance, emphasizing the divine care for human needs. In [[1 Samuel 2:13]], it appears within the context of the sacrificial system, tragically associated with the corruption of Eli's sons, thereby underscoring the importance of reverence and purity in handling sacred things. Though a simple object, the פָּרוּר subtly highlights the profound intersection of the sacred and the mundane in biblical life, serving as a quiet testament to God's pervasive presence in both daily provision and ritual worship.
TRV