from פָּרַץlemma פּרַץ missing vowel, corrected to פָּרַץ; violent, i.e. a tyrant; destroyer, ravenous, robber.
Transliteration:pᵉrîyts
Pronunciation:per-eets'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts, `{{H6530}}`) derives from the verb פָּרַץ (parats, `{{H6555}}`), which fundamentally means "to break forth," "break through," "burst open," or "break out." This root carries a strong sense of forceful, often uncontrolled, movement or action that transgresses boundaries. From this dynamic root, פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) emerges to describe an individual or entity characterized by such violent, disruptive, or unrestrained behavior. Its semantic range encompasses "violent," "tyrant," "destroyer," "ravenous," and "robber." The core idea is one who breaks, whether it be physical barriers, moral laws, or social order, often with destructive intent or consequence. It signifies an aggressor who acts without restraint, causing harm or disruption.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) appears in several significant biblical contexts, consistently denoting a destructive or lawless agent:
* **[[Isaiah 35:9]]**: "No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous beast (פְּרִיץ חַיּוֹת) go up on it; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there." Here, פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) is used adjectivally with "beast" (חַיּוֹת) to describe a "ravenous beast" or "violent animal." The context is the highway of holiness, where no destructive or dangerous creature will exist, emphasizing a future state of peace and security for the redeemed.
* **[[Jeremiah 7:11]]**: "Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers (פְּרִיצִים) to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord." In this prophetic indictment against Judah, the temple, meant to be a house of prayer, has been corrupted into a "den of robbers." The term פְּרִיצִים (pᵉrîytsim, plural) here refers to those who violently transgress divine law and desecrate sacred space through their unrighteous actions, effectively "breaking into" God's sanctuary with their sin.
* **[[Ezekiel 7:22]]**: "I will turn my face from them, and they will desecrate my treasured place. Robbers (פְּרִיצִים) will enter it and desecrate it." Similar to Jeremiah, Ezekiel prophesies the desecration of the temple and the land. The "robbers" (פְּרִיצִים) are agents of destruction and defilement, allowed by God's turning away due to the people's sin. They are those who break down the sanctity of the holy place.
* **[[Daniel 11:14]]**: "In those times many will rise against the king of the South. The violent ones (פְּרִיצֵי) among your own people will rebel in order to fulfill the vision, but they will fail." This verse, within a prophetic overview of geopolitical struggles, refers to "violent ones" or "tyrants" from among Daniel's own people who rise in rebellion. They are characterized by their aggressive and disruptive actions, seeking to break existing political structures, though ultimately their efforts are futile in the face of God's overarching plan.
Across these contexts, פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) consistently denotes an entity that is aggressive, destructive, and acts without legitimate restraint, whether as a dangerous animal, a desecrator of sacred space, or a rebellious political actor.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root פָּרַץ (parats, `{{H6555}}`), from which פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) is derived. This root's meaning of "to break forth," "burst out," or "break through" directly informs the noun's sense of violent transgression. Other related concepts and terms include:
* **Violence (חָמָס, hamas, `{{H2555}}`)**: Often describes unjust or destructive force, a core characteristic of a פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts).
* **Plunder/Devastation (שָׁדַד, shadad, `{{H7703}}`)**: Verbs associated with the actions of a robber or destroyer, aligning with the destructive aspect of פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts).
* **Iniquity/Wickedness (עָוֹן, avon, `{{H5771}}`; רֶשַׁע, resha, `{{H7562}}`)**: The moral state that leads to the actions of a פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts), indicating a breaking of God's covenant and law.
* **Lawlessness/Transgression**: The actions of a פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) inherently involve a disregard for established order, whether divine or human.
* **Tyranny/Oppression**: The term "tyrant" in the definition points to the oppressive nature of a פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) in a societal context.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) is profound, highlighting a force antithetical to God's divine order, peace, and justice.
1. **Manifestation of Sin and Rebellion**: The פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) embodies the destructive potential of human sin. In Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the "robbers" are a direct consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness, illustrating how a people's rebellion against God leads to the breakdown of sacred order and the invasion of destructive forces. In Daniel, the "violent ones" represent human attempts to usurp divine sovereignty or hasten God's plan through carnal means.
2. **Threat to God's Holiness and People**: The presence of a פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) signifies a threat to the sanctity of God's dwelling place (Jeremiah, Ezekiel) and the security of His people (Isaiah). These figures represent chaos, danger, and defilement that stand in stark contrast to the purity and peace God desires for His creation and covenant community.
3. **Divine Judgment and Restoration**: The allowance of פְּרִיצִים (pᵉrîytsim) to desecrate the temple (Ezekiel) serves as a form of divine judgment, demonstrating God's withdrawal from a rebellious people. Conversely, the future absence of the "ravenous beast" on the highway of holiness (Isaiah) signifies God's ultimate restoration and the establishment of a secure, redeemed kingdom where such destructive forces are banished.
4. **Contrast with God's Character**: God is a God of order, peace, and justice. The פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts), by contrast, represents lawlessness, violence, and destruction. The biblical usage underscores the fundamental opposition between the nature of God and the nature of sin-driven humanity or destructive forces.
### Summary
פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts, `{{H6530}}`) is a potent Hebrew term derived from the root meaning "to break forth." It describes a violent, destructive, and lawless individual or entity, encompassing meanings such as "tyrant," "destroyer," "ravenous beast," and "robber." Biblically, it appears in contexts that highlight its disruptive nature: as dangerous animals on the path of holiness ([[Isaiah 35:9]]), as those who desecrate God's temple through their wicked actions ([[Jeremiah 7:11]], [[Ezekiel 7:22]]), and as rebellious, violent individuals in geopolitical conflict ([[Daniel 11:14]]). Theologically, פְּרִיץ (pᵉrîyts) serves as a powerful symbol of sin's destructive power, the breakdown of divine order, and the threat posed to God's holiness and His people. Its ultimate removal or failure in prophetic contexts points to God's sovereign control and His promise of a future characterized by peace and righteousness, free from such violent transgressors.
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