from פָּרַק; rapine; also a fork (in roads); crossway, robbery.
Transliteration:pereq
Pronunciation:peh'-rek
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H6563 (פֶּרֶק) (transliterated *pereq*) is derived from the verbal root H6562 (פָּרַק), which carries the primary meaning of "to break off, tear apart, break away, rescue." As a noun, H6563 encapsulates two distinct, yet etymologically related, semantic poles:
1. **Violent Breaking/Rapine/Robbery:** This sense refers to the act of forcefully tearing away or plundering, often with violence. It denotes robbery, plunder, or rapine, emphasizing the destructive and unjust nature of such an act. This meaning highlights the "breaking apart" of possessions or the social order through illicit means.
2. **Fork/Crossway:** This sense refers to a literal "breaking off" or branching of a path, a point where roads diverge. It signifies a crossroad or a parting of the way, a place of decision or divergence. This meaning emphasizes a physical separation or division of a continuous path.
Though seemingly disparate, both meanings stem from the core concept of "breaking" or "separating." One describes a violent act of separation (rapine), while the other describes a geographical point of separation (a fork in the road).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H6563 (פֶּרֶק) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance beautifully illustrating one of its two primary semantic ranges:
1. **[[Nahum 3:1]]**: "Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and rapine; its prey never departs."
* Here, פֶּרֶק is translated as "rapine" or "robbery." The context is a prophetic denunciation of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, known for its brutal conquests and plundering. The word vividly describes the city's character as one built upon violent acquisition and unjust gain. It underscores the moral depravity and predatory nature of the Assyrian empire, whose very existence was predicated on "tearing away" the wealth and lives of others. The parallelism with "lies" further emphasizes the deceitful and violent means employed.
2. **[[Ezekiel 21:21]] (MT 21:26)**: "For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination..."
* In this passage, פֶּרֶק is rendered as "parting of the way" or "crossway." The scene depicts Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, at a literal fork in the road, deciding whether to attack Rabbah of the Ammonites or Jerusalem. The term precisely denotes the geographical point where the path "breaks off" into two distinct routes. This context highlights a moment of critical decision, where two paths diverge, and a choice must be made. The king's reliance on divination at this "crossway" underscores the gravity and uncertainty of the decision.
These two occurrences demonstrate the remarkable semantic range of H6563, from the ethical and violent act of plunder to the neutral geographical marker of a divergent path.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for H6563 (פֶּרֶק) is its root, H6562 (פָּרַק). This verb can mean "to break off, tear apart, break away," but also "to deliver, rescue," suggesting a breaking away *from* bondage or danger. This dual potential of the root (breaking *for* destruction vs. breaking *for* liberation) is fascinating.
Other related terms include:
* **For "rapine" / "robbery":**
* H1590 (גָּזַל) (*gazal*): To rob, plunder, tear away. Shares the concept of forceful taking.
* H7701 (שָׁדַד) (*shadad*): To devastate, plunder, lay waste. Often used in contexts of military conquest and destruction.
* H2555 (חָמָס) (*hamas*): Violence, wrong, injustice. Often underlies acts of rapine.
* **For "fork" / "crossway":**
* H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) (*derekh*): Way, path, road. The general term for a route.
* H5410 (נָתִיב) (*nativ*): Path, course. Often used poetically for a way.
* The concept of פֶּרֶק as a "crossway" connects to biblical themes of choice and destiny, where individuals or nations stand at a crossroads (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 30:19]] - "choose life").
### Theological Significance
The dual nature of H6563 (פֶּרֶק) offers profound theological insights:
1. **Condemnation of Injustice:** In its sense of "rapine," פֶּרֶק serves as a stark descriptor of human sin and injustice. The prophetic indictment in [[Nahum 3:1]] highlights God's utter abhorrence for violent exploitation and the plundering of the innocent. It underscores a divine moral order where such actions are not tolerated and ultimately lead to judgment. This reflects a core biblical principle that justice and righteousness are foundational to God's character and His expectations for humanity. The "bloody city" full of פֶּרֶק is ripe for divine wrath.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice at the Crossroads:** The use of פֶּרֶק as a "crossway" in [[Ezekiel 21:21]] speaks to the interplay of human decision-making and divine sovereignty. Even as a pagan king stands at a literal crossroads, relying on divination, the prophetic context reveals that his choices are ultimately guided by God's overarching plan for judgment against Judah. This illustrates that even at moments of human uncertainty and deliberation, the divine will is being accomplished. The "parting of the way" becomes a metaphor for critical junctures in history where destinies are shaped, often through human agency, but always under the watchful eye of the Almighty. It reminds us that while choices are real, God's purposes prevail.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6563 (פֶּרֶק) is a rare but powerfully evocative term, demonstrating a fascinating semantic duality. Derived from the root H6562 (פָּרָק) meaning "to break," it signifies both the destructive act of "rapine" or "robbery" (as seen in [[Nahum 3:1]]) and the geographical point of a "fork" or "crossway" (as seen in [[Ezekiel 21:21]]). In its first sense, פֶּרֶק condemns the violent tearing away of possessions and lives, embodying human depravity and inviting divine judgment. In its second sense, it marks a pivotal moment of divergence and decision, often highlighting the intersection of human choice and divine sovereignty in shaping historical outcomes. Thus, this single word encapsulates both the severe consequences of human injustice and the critical junctures where paths diverge, often under the mysterious yet purposeful hand of God.
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