probably from פָּרַר in the sense of rushing; rapid; Parpar, a river of Syria; Pharpar.
Transliteration:Parpar
Pronunciation:par-par'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H6554, פַּרְפַּר (Parpar), is a proper noun designating a specific geographical feature: a river located in Syria, specifically associated with Damascus. Its base definition suggests a derivation from the root `{{H6565}}` (פָּרַר, parar), which carries meanings related to breaking, frustrating, or, in this context, "rushing" or "rapid." This etymological connection implies that the river was characterized by a swift current or perhaps its tendency to overflow its banks. As a proper noun, its semantic range is highly constrained, referring exclusively to this particular watercourse.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word Parpar appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of 2 Kings:
* [[2 Kings 5:12]]: "Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage.
This sole occurrence is found within the narrative of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, who is afflicted with leprosy. Upon seeking healing from the prophet Elisha, Naaman is instructed to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Naaman's indignant response reveals his pride and ethnocentric bias. He considers the rivers of his homeland, the Abana (or Amana) and Parpar, to be superior in quality and perhaps purity to "all the waters of Israel," implicitly including the Jordan. His statement highlights the perceived importance and grandeur of these Damascene rivers to the Syrians, contrasting them with the humble Jordan. This moment serves to underscore Naaman's initial resistance to God's simple, humble command delivered through Elisha, preferring the perceived prestige and familiarity of his own land's resources.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Etymological Root:** The suggested root `{{H6565}}` (פָּרָר, parar) means "to break," "to frustrate," or "to make void." The application to Parpar as "rushing" or "rapid" likely extends from a sense of breaking forth or a forceful, unhindered flow.
* **Geographical Names:** Other significant river names in the Bible, such as the Jordan, Euphrates, Tigris, and Nile, often carry symbolic or historical weight. Parpar, while geographically specific, gains its significance through its contrast with the Jordan.
* **Water Imagery:** Water frequently serves as a symbol of cleansing, purification, life, or divine judgment in Scripture (e.g., [[John 4:10]], [[Revelation 22:1]]). In Naaman's story, the "better" rivers of Damascus ironically fail to offer the true cleansing that the divinely appointed Jordan provides.
* **Pride vs. Humility:** Naaman's initial rejection of Elisha's instruction, favoring the Parpar and Abana, exemplifies the human tendency to prefer one's own perceived superiority, comfort, or familiar ways over God's often counter-intuitive and humbling commands. This theme resonates throughout biblical narratives, emphasizing the necessity of humility for receiving divine grace.
### Theological Significance
While Parpar itself, as a proper noun, carries no inherent theological meaning, its singular mention in the biblical narrative is profoundly significant. It functions as a theological foil to the Jordan River, which God specifically designated as the instrument of Naaman's healing. Naaman's rhetorical question, "Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?" [[2 Kings 5:12]], encapsulates his pride and cultural prejudice.
The divine choice of the humble, often muddy, Jordan over the renowned and presumably clearer rivers of Damascus underscores a pivotal theological principle: God often chooses to work through the seemingly ordinary, the despised, or the less impressive to accomplish extraordinary, miraculous deeds. This confounds human wisdom, challenges human pride, and ensures that the glory redounds solely to God. The healing was not inherent in the water of the Jordan, but in the obedient act of washing as commanded by God's prophet. Thus, Parpar, by its very mention, highlights the stark contrast between human preference and divine command, emphasizing the critical role of humble obedience in receiving God's grace and miraculous intervention. It serves as a testament to God's freedom to work through any means He chooses, regardless of human estimation.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6554, פַּרְפַּר (Parpar), is a proper noun identifying one of the two principal rivers of Damascus, Syria, the other being the Abana (or Amana). Its etymological root, `{{H6565}}` (פָּרַר), suggests a meaning of "rushing" or "rapid," likely descriptive of the river's flow. Parpar appears only once in the Bible, in [[2 Kings 5:12]], where Naaman, the Syrian commander, expresses his disdain for washing in the Jordan River, deeming the rivers of Damascus, including Parpar, to be superior. This brief but pivotal mention serves a profound theological purpose within the narrative of Naaman's healing. Parpar, by its association with Naaman's pride and preference for his own land's resources, stands in stark contrast to the humble Jordan, which God designated as the instrument of healing. The episode ultimately underscores the divine principle that God's power and grace are manifested through simple, humble obedience, often in ways that challenge human expectations and confront human pride, thereby ensuring that all glory belongs to Him alone.
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