פַּר
𐤐𐤓
par
H6499 noun
SILEX Entry
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.
Translation Consistency
'Par' denotes a male bovine (bull/bullock). 'Bull' is the most natural, familiar single-word English equivalent that covers bullock, sacrificial bull, and young male bovine. Although 'young' is often paired in translations, it is an adjective; using 'bull' as the consistent base word best preserves meaning and reads naturally across contexts.
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
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
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 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6499-11 |
פַּ֣ר | par | HNcmsa |
young bull | young bull | young bull | 39 |
H6499-06 |
הַ/פָּ֔ר | hapar | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bull | the young bull | the young bull | 31 |
H6499-13 |
פָּרִֽים | parim | HNcmpa |
bulls | young bulls | young bulls | 23 |
H6499-08 |
לַ/פָּ֔ר | lapar | HRd/Ncmsa |
for the bull | to the young bull | to the young bull | 12 |
H6499-05 |
פָרִ֖ים | farim | HNcmpa |
bulls | young bulls | young bulls | 7 |
H6499-09 |
לַ֠/פָּרִים | laparim | HRd/Ncmpa |
for the bulls | to the young bulls | for the bulls | 6 |
H6499-14 |
וּ/פַ֨ר | ufar | HC/Ncmsc |
and a bull | and young bull of | and young bull of | 5 |
H6499-15 |
וּ/פָרִ֣ים | ufarim | HC/Ncmpa |
and young bulls | and young bulls | and young bulls | 2 |
H6499-02 |
בְּ/פַ֧ר | befar | HR/Ncmsa |
with a bull | with a young bull | with a young bull | 2 |
H6499-10 |
לְ/פַ֣ר | lefar | HR/Ncmsc |
with the bull | to a young bull | to a young bull | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
133 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6499-15 |
Genesis 32:16 | וּ/פָרִ֣ים | ufarim | HC/Ncmpa |
and bulls | and young bulls | and young bulls |
H6499-13 |
Exodus 24:5 | פָּרִֽים | parim | HNcmpa |
bulls | young bulls | young bulls |
H6499-11 |
Exodus 29:1 | פַּ֣ר | par | HNcmsa |
a bull | young bull | young bull |
H6499-06 |
Exodus 29:3 | הַ/פָּ֔ר | hapar | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bull | the young bull | the young bull |
H6499-06 |
Exodus 29:10 | הַ/פָּ֔ר | hapar | HTd/Ncmsa |
the bull | the young bull | the young bull |
H6499-06 |
Exodus 29:10 | הַ/פָּֽר | hapar-2 | HTd/Ncmsa |
the young bull | the young bull | |
H6499-06 |
Exodus 29:11 | הַ/פָּ֖ר | hapar | HTd/Ncmsa |
bull | the young bull | the young bull |
H6499-06 |
Exodus 29:12 | הַ/פָּ֔ר | hapar | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the bull | the young bull | the young bull |
H6499-06 |
Exodus 29:14 | הַ/פָּר֙ | hapar | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the bull | the young bull | the young bull |
H6499-14 |
Exodus 29:36 | וּ/פַ֨ר | ufar | HC/Ncmsc |
and-a-bull | and young bull of | and young bull of |