English · KJV
H6545

פֶּרַע

peraʻ /peh'-rah/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom פָּרַע
Meaningthe hair (as dishevelled)
KJV usagelocks.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of peraʻ — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word peraʻ, represented by H6545, refers to the hair (as dishevelled); locks. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. The term specifically denotes locks of hair that are allowed to grow freely, often as a visible sign of a particular vow or status.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H6545 is used in two distinct and contrasting contexts related to religious observance. For the Nazirite under a vow of separation, the instruction is to "let the locks of the hair of his head grow" Numbers 6:5 as a sign of being holy to the LORD. Conversely, the priests in Ezekiel's vision are given the opposite command: "nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads" Ezekiel 44:20. This highlights how the state of one's hair could serve as a powerful symbol of one's specific role and covenant relationship with God.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context of hair and religious observance:

  • H8181 sêʻâr (hair): This is the general term for hair (as if tossed or bristling). The "locks" of H6545 are a form of H8181, as seen in the command for a Nazirite to let the locks of the hair of his head grow Numbers 6:5.
  • H7218 rôʼsh (head): Defined as the head... whether literal or figurative, this is the location of the hair and locks. Both primary occurrences specify that the locks are on the head (Numbers 6:5, Ezekiel 44:20).
  • H7971 shâlach (to send away... grow long): This verb is used in Ezekiel 44:20 to forbid priests from letting their locks grow long. It signifies the act of letting go or releasing, which in this context applies to hair length.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6545 is centered on the outward expression of one's spiritual state and service.

  • Symbol of Consecration: The primary use of locks is to signify a special separation unto God. In the Nazirite vow, letting the hair grow long was a visible marker of the period of consecration, during which a razor was forbidden to touch the head Numbers 6:5.
  • Mark of Regulated Service: For priests, the command was one of moderation. They were neither to shave their heads nor let their locks grow long, but to keep their hair polled Ezekiel 44:20. This represents a different kind of holiness—one of order and discipline appropriate for sanctuary service.
  • Outward Representation of Status: The state of the locks communicated an individual's specific religious obligations. Whether long for the Nazirite or polled for the priest, the hair served as a public declaration of one's relationship and duties before the LORD.

Summary

In summary, H6545 is a specific term for locks of hair that, while appearing only twice, carries significant weight. It demonstrates how physical appearance was used in the Old Testament as a powerful symbol. The word contrasts the wild separation of the Nazirite vow with the ordered, regulated service of the priesthood, illustrating that different forms of devotion were marked by distinct external signs.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • פְּרָעוֹת
  • פַּרְעוֹת
  • פֶרַע
  • פֶּרַע

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H8181 שֵׂעָר or שַׂעַר; (Isaiah 7:20), from שָׂעַר in the sense of dishevelling; hair (as if tossed or bristling); hair(-y), [idiom] H7218 רֹאשׁ from an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in man H7971 שָׁלַח a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on t

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Numbers and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Numbers
1
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.