(Aramaic) corresponding to פָּרַס; to split up; divide, (U-) pharsin.
Transliteration:pᵉraç
Pronunciation:per-as'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term pᵉraç (פְּרַס, `{{H6537}}`) carries the fundamental meaning "to split up" or "to divide." It is explicitly defined as corresponding to the Hebrew verb `{{H6536}}` (פָּרַס, *paras*), which also denotes breaking, dividing, or distributing. While its core semantic range is straightforward, its usage in the biblical text imbues it with a profound sense of divine judgment and consequence. The act of division implied by pᵉraç is not merely a separation but a breaking apart, often leading to a redistribution or transfer of power.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word pᵉraç appears exclusively in the book of Daniel, specifically within the dramatic narrative of Belshazzar's feast and the handwriting on the wall. It is the final word in the cryptic inscription "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Uparsin" ([[Daniel 5:25]]). Daniel's inspired interpretation clarifies its meaning in [[Daniel 5:28]]: "PERES; your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians."
The form "Uparsin" (וּפַרְסִין) in [[Daniel 5:25]] includes the conjunction "u-" (and) and a plural ending, transforming pᵉraç into "Parsin," a deliberate and powerful wordplay. This not only signifies the act of division but also points directly to the incoming conquerors, the Persians (פָּרַס, *Paras*). The context is one of immediate, divine judgment upon King Belshazzar for his blasphemous use of the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple and his failure to humble himself before the God of heaven. The division of his kingdom is presented as an irreversible, divinely ordained consequence, culminating in the fall of Babylon that very night.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is its Hebrew counterpart, `{{H6536}}` (פָּרַס, *paras*), which shares the core meaning of "to break" or "to divide." This connection highlights the continuity of divine action and judgment across both Hebrew and Aramaic portions of the Old Testament. Examples of `{{H6536}}` include the breaking of bread ([[Isaiah 58:7]]) or the breaking of a covenant.
Beyond this direct cognate, pᵉraç resonates with other biblical concepts of division and apportionment, often in the context of divine sovereignty:
* `{{H2505}}` (חָלַק, *chalaq*): to divide, apportion, distribute, often referring to inheritance or land.
* `{{H1504}}` (גָּזַר, *gazar*): to cut off, decree, determine; frequently used in a judicial sense, implying a decisive separation or judgment.
The deliberate wordplay linking pᵉraç (division) to the *Parsin* (Persians) is a crucial linguistic device, emphasizing the precision and intentionality of God's prophetic judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of pᵉraç is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment:** pᵉraç powerfully demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over human kingdoms and history. Belshazzar's kingdom is not merely overthrown by military might; it is "divided" by a divine decree, illustrating that the rise and fall of empires are ultimately under God's control.
2. **Consequence of Pride and Sacrilege:** The division of the kingdom is a direct, immediate judgment for Belshazzar's audacious pride and sacrilege ([[Daniel 5:22-23]]). He had witnessed Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation yet failed to humble himself, leading to this swift and decisive divine intervention.
3. **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** The judgment declared by pᵉraç marks a pivotal moment in the prophetic timeline of Daniel. It signifies the end of Babylonian supremacy and the transition to the Medo-Persian empire, aligning with the prophetic visions of successive world powers ([[Daniel 2]], [[Daniel 7]]).
4. **God's Active Justice:** The "handwriting on the wall" and its interpretation serve as an undeniable testament to God's active justice in the world. Unrighteousness, idolatry, and rebellion against His authority are met with precise and inevitable consequences, demonstrating that God holds rulers accountable.
### Summary
The Aramaic word pᵉraç (פְּרַס, `{{H6537}}`), meaning "to split up" or "to divide," is central to the dramatic narrative of Daniel 5. As the final word in the mysterious inscription "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Uparsin" ([[Daniel 5:25]]), it is divinely interpreted by Daniel as the pronouncement that King Belshazzar's kingdom has been "divided and given to the Medes and Persians" ([[Daniel 5:28]]). This single word encapsulates God's absolute sovereignty over human history, His righteous judgment against pride and sacrilege, and the precise fulfillment of His prophetic word concerning the succession of empires. The deliberate wordplay linking pᵉraç (division) with the *Parsin* (Persians) underscores the divine orchestration of this historical transition, serving as a powerful and enduring reminder of God's ultimate authority.
TRV