פָּרַע

pâraʻ /paw-rah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto loosen; by implication, to expose, dismiss; figuratively, absolve, begin
KJV usageavenge, avoid, bare, go back, let, (make) naked, set at nought, perish, refuse, uncover.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word pâraʻ, represented by H6544, is a primitive root with a core meaning of to loosen. It appears 17 times in 15 verses, and its applications extend to concepts like exposing, dismissing, making naked, refusing, or allowing to perish. This word often carries a sense of letting go of restraint, whether in a physical, moral, or ceremonial context.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H6544 describes states of being unrestrained or uncovered. In the context of Israel's sin with the golden calf, the people were made naked Exodus 32:25, a term that signifies their moral exposure and shame. A similar meaning is found when King Ahaz made Judah naked, leading them to transgress against the LORD 2 Chronicles 28:19. The word is also used in a legal and ritual sense, such as the command for a leper's head to be bare Leviticus 13:45, or for priests to not uncover their heads as a sign of their consecrated status Leviticus 10:6. Figuratively, it denotes the rejection of guidance, as seen in Proverbs where one who refuseth instruction faces poverty and shame Proverbs 13:18, and a people without vision perish Proverbs 29:18.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the scope of H6544:

  • H6533 pâram (to tear; rend): This word is frequently used alongside pâraʻ in Levitical law concerning priests and lepers. For example, high priests were commanded to neither uncover H6544 their heads nor rend their clothes, linking the two actions as forbidden signs of mourning for the consecrated Leviticus 21:10.
  • H8085 shâmaʻ (to hear intelligently): This word stands in direct contrast to refusing instruction. While one who refuseth H6544 instruction despises his soul, "he that heareth reproof getteth understanding" Proverbs 15:32. This highlights the choice between dismissing and intelligently accepting wisdom.
  • H2377 châzôwn (vision): This term is crucially linked to social order. The book of Proverbs states that where there is no vision, the people perish H6544, indicating that divine revelation provides the necessary restraint to prevent society from becoming "loose" and falling into ruin Proverbs 29:18.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6544 is significant, often illustrating the negative consequences of a lack of restraint or a rejection of divine order.

  • Moral and Social Collapse: The concept that a people without vision will perish Proverbs 29:18 establishes a core principle: divine guidance is essential for social cohesion and righteousness. To be "loose" from God's law is to be on a path to destruction.
  • Rejection of Divine Wisdom: The repeated use of pâraʻ for refusing instruction (Proverbs 8:33, 13:18) frames the rejection of wisdom not as a neutral act, but as a destructive choice that leads to shame and dishonor. Setting God's counsel at nought Proverbs 1:25 is a direct path to ruin.
  • Ritual States of Separation: The word distinguishes between holy and profane states. The priest is to remain "covered" to maintain his consecration Leviticus 10:6, while the leper is "bare" Leviticus 13:45 and the accused woman is "uncovered" Numbers 5:18, signifying states of uncleanness or judgment.
  • Covenant Unfaithfulness: The "nakedness" of the people in Exodus 32:25 represents more than physical exposure; it is a spiritual state of being unrestrained by their covenant with God, resulting in shame before their enemies.

Summary

In summary, H6544 is a multifaceted word that moves from the literal meaning of "to loosen" or "uncover" to the profound spiritual concepts of moral unrestraint, social decay, and the active rejection of divine wisdom. It demonstrates that freedom from God's instruction and order is not true liberty but a state that leads to perishing, shame, and judgment. The word serves as a consistent biblical warning about the dangers of being "let loose" from the source of life and truth.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 16 occurrences, inflected in 13 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×

+ 1 rarer form

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 15 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (6 verses).

2
Exodus
3
Leviticus
1
Numbers
1
Judges
1
2 Chronicles
6
Proverbs
1
Ezekiel

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