a primitive root; to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute; deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear.
Transliteration:pâraç
Pronunciation:paw-ras'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb פָּרַס (pâraç, `{{H6536}}`) is a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around the act of "breaking" or "splitting." While it can imply a forceful separation, the nuance often suggests a deliberate or controlled division, "usually without violence." This fundamental sense extends to a wide semantic range, encompassing actions such as "to break in pieces," "to split," "to divide," "to distribute," and "to deal out." A unique and significant extension of this meaning is its application to animals, describing the "parting" or "splitting" of a hoof, leading to the sense of "having hoofs" or "being cloven-footed." The root thus denotes the separation of a whole into parts, whether for distribution, classification, or inherent physical characteristic.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of פָּרַס (pâraç, `{{H6536}}`) in the Hebrew Bible reveals its diverse applications:
1. **Breaking and Distributing Bread/Food:** This is a prominent usage, often in contexts of provision and compassion. In [[Lamentations 4:4]], it describes children begging for bread that no one "breaks" for them, highlighting severe famine. Conversely, [[Isaiah 58:7]] uses pâraç in a call to true fasting: "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry?" Here, "breaking bread" signifies an act of generosity and social justice, providing sustenance for the needy. This usage underscores the communal and life-sustaining aspect of dividing food.
2. **Dividing Spoils or Possessions:** The verb is employed to describe the fair distribution of plunder or inheritance. In [[1 Samuel 30:24]], David's men discuss how to "divide" the spoils of battle, establishing a principle of equitable sharing. Similarly, [[Nehemiah 9:22]] recounts how God "divided" lands among the Israelites, emphasizing divine sovereignty and just allocation of territory. This context highlights the role of pâraç in establishing order and equity in material possessions.
3. **The "Cloven Hoof" in Dietary Laws:** Perhaps the most distinctive and theologically significant usage of pâraç is in the Mosaic dietary laws, where it describes the characteristic of a "cloven hoof." In [[Leviticus 11:3]], animals are declared clean if they "chew the cud and have a divided hoof" (literally, "a hoof pâraç a hoof"). This phrase appears repeatedly in [[Leviticus 11:4]], [[Leviticus 11:7]], and [[Deuteronomy 14:7]], distinguishing clean animals from unclean ones. Here, pâraç functions descriptively, indicating a physical separation or division of the hoof, which served as a critical criterion for ritual purity.
4. **Figurative "Breaking" or "Parting":** Though less common, pâraç can also describe a more abstract separation. For example, in [[Proverbs 11:24]], it is said that "one scatters (pâraç), yet gains more," contrasting with those who withhold. Here, the idea is of "breaking up" or "distributing" wealth, leading to increase rather than depletion, illustrating a principle of generosity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of pâraç (`{{H6536}}`) intersects with several related Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **Sharing and Giving:** Words like נָתַן (nāthan, `{{H5414}}`, "to give, place") and חָלַק (ḥālaq, `{{H2505}}`, "to divide, share") resonate with pâraç's meaning of distribution, especially in contexts of provision and spoils. While pâraç emphasizes the act of breaking or splitting for distribution, ḥālaq focuses more on the act of apportioning.
* **Separation and Distinction:** In the context of the cloven hoof, pâraç relates to words signifying separation and differentiation, such as בָּדַל (bādal, `{{H914}}`, "to divide, separate oneself") or הִבְדִּיל (hivdîl, "to distinguish"). The clean/unclean distinction based on the hoof is a physical manifestation of a broader theological principle of separation.
* **Provision and Sustenance:** Concepts of food, bread (לֶחֶם, leḥem, `{{H3899}}`), and provision are intrinsically linked to pâraç, particularly in the acts of "breaking bread" for the hungry. This connects to divine provision and human responsibility to care for the vulnerable.
* **Justice and Equity:** The division of land or spoils implies principles of fairness and justice, aligning pâraç with concepts like מִשְׁפָּט (mishpāṭ, `{{H4941}}`, "justice, judgment") and צֶדֶק (tsedeq, `{{H6664}}`, "righteousness").
### Theological Significance
The verb פָּרַס (pâraç, `{{H6536}}`) carries significant theological weight across its various applications:
1. **Divine Provision and Generosity:** The act of "breaking bread" for the hungry, as commanded in [[Isaiah 58:7]], reflects God's own character as the ultimate provider. It is a call for humanity to emulate divine generosity, ensuring that sustenance is not hoarded but distributed to those in need. This anticipates the New Testament emphasis on sharing and communal meals as expressions of God's kingdom.
2. **Holiness and Distinction:** The usage of pâraç in the dietary laws (e.g., [[Leviticus 11:3]]) is profoundly symbolic. The "cloven hoof" serves as a physical marker of distinction between clean and unclean animals, which in turn reinforces the theological concept of Israel's separation and holiness before God. It underscores God's desire for His people to live a life set apart, reflecting His own purity and order. This physical distinction served as a tangible reminder of their unique covenant relationship and calling to be a holy nation.
3. **Justice and Order in Society:** The division of land and spoils, as seen in [[Nehemiah 9:22]] and [[1 Samuel 30:24]], speaks to God's concern for justice and equitable distribution within the community. It highlights the divine principle that resources and blessings are to be managed and shared in an orderly and fair manner, preventing hoarding and ensuring that all have their rightful portion.
4. **Covenant Fellowship:** While not directly tied to a specific command for ritual breaking, the repeated motif of "breaking bread" in the Old Testament provides a foundational understanding for communal meals and fellowship, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament concept of the Lord's Supper, where Christ "broke" the bread as a symbol of His body given for many.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb פָּרַס (pâraç, `{{H6536}}`) is a versatile and rich term, primarily denoting the act of "breaking" or "splitting" a whole into parts, often without violence, for the purpose of distribution or distinction. Its semantic range extends from the literal breaking of bread for the hungry, symbolizing divine provision and human compassion ([[Isaiah 58:7]]), to the equitable division of spoils or land, reflecting God's justice and order ([[1 Samuel 30:24]]). Most uniquely, it describes the "cloven hoof" of animals, a key criterion in the Mosaic dietary laws ([[Leviticus 11:3]]), which served as a tangible symbol of holiness and separation for the people of Israel. The theological significance of pâraç thus encompasses divine generosity, the call to social justice, the principle of holiness and distinction, and the establishment of order within God's covenant community.
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