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פַּר

𐤐𐤓

par

H6499 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פרר to break, to burst forth, to divide

Definition

A young male bovine (bull), especially one used for sacrifice or as a symbol of strength and vitality in agrarian society. In the Hebrew Bible, 'par' most often refers to a (typically unyoked) young bull, frequently distinguished from adult oxen used for work, and contrasted with cows (females) or other herd animals.

Semantic Range

young bull, bullock, sacrificial bull, strong male bovine, steer

Root / Etymology

The noun פַּר derives from the root פּרר (parar), which in its verbal form often carries the idea of breaking or splitting. The precise derivation is debated, but the connection may be to the animal's strength or wild energy (i.e., one that 'bursts forth'). The nominal form does not directly inherit the verbal sense, but rather points to the animal itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

'Par' is common in legal, ritual, and narrative contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible. It is regularly the prescribed animal for major sacrifices, such as sin offerings (Leviticus 4), burnt offerings, and covenant ceremonies (Genesis 15). The term typically refers to a young, unyoked bull rather than a mature, working ox (which is often 'shor'). English translations often render both 'par' and 'shor' as 'ox' or 'bullock,' but in Hebrew usage, 'par' emphasizes the vigor and sacrificial suitability of a young male bovine, while 'shor' is more generic for bovines (including females) or for animals used in labor. In post-exilic texts, the term continues to denote the sacrificial animal of choice for leaders and communal offerings. The translation 'calf' is occasionally used, though 'egel' (עֵגֶל) more specifically refers to a calf. The use of 'par' should be distinguished from later religious or symbolic references to oxen or bulls in rabbinic and mystical literature; in the biblical period, 'par' retains its concrete, zoological reference with ritual and economic significance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or פָּר; from פָּרַר; a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof); ([phrase] young) bull(-ock), calf, ox.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פרר (p-r-r) — to break, to burst forth, to divide

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6517 פָּרוּר in the spreading-pan
H6554 פַּרְפַּר and Parpar
H6565 פָּרַר I will nullify

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6499-11 פַּ֣ר par HNcmsa young bull young bull 39
H6499-06 הַ/פָּ֔ר hapar HTd/Ncmsa the bull the young bull 31
H6499-13 פָּרִֽים parim HNcmpa bulls young bulls 23
H6499-08 לַ/פָּ֔ר lapar HRd/Ncmsa for the bull to the young bull 12
H6499-05 פָרִ֖ים farim HNcmpa bulls young bulls 7
H6499-09 לַ֠/פָּרִים laparim HRd/Ncmpa for the bulls to the young bulls 6
H6499-14 וּ/פַ֨ר ufar HC/Ncmsc and a bull and young bull of 5
H6499-15 וּ/פָרִ֣ים ufarim HC/Ncmpa and young bulls and young bulls 2
H6499-02 בְּ/פַ֧ר befar HR/Ncmsa with a bull with a young bull 2
H6499-10 לְ/פַ֣ר lefar HR/Ncmsc with the bull to a young bull 1

Occurrences in Scripture

133 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6499-15 Genesis 32:16 וּ/פָרִ֣ים ufarim HC/Ncmpa and bulls and young bulls
H6499-13 Exodus 24:5 פָּרִֽים parim HNcmpa bulls young bulls
H6499-11 Exodus 29:1 פַּ֣ר par HNcmsa a bull young bull
H6499-06 Exodus 29:3 הַ/פָּ֔ר hapar HTd/Ncmsa the bull the young bull
H6499-06 Exodus 29:10 הַ/פָּ֔ר hapar HTd/Ncmsa the bull the young bull
H6499-06 Exodus 29:10 הַ/פָּֽר hapar-2 HTd/Ncmsa the young bull
H6499-06 Exodus 29:11 הַ/פָּ֖ר hapar HTd/Ncmsa bull the young bull
H6499-06 Exodus 29:12 הַ/פָּ֔ר hapar HTd/Ncmsa of the bull the young bull
H6499-06 Exodus 29:14 הַ/פָּר֙ hapar HTd/Ncmsa of the bull the young bull
H6499-14 Exodus 29:36 וּ/פַ֨ר ufar HC/Ncmsc and-a-bull and young bull of
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