פָּרָה
𐤐𐤓𐤄
Parah
H6511 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A toponym referring to a specific settlement or locality named Parah in the territory of Benjamin. In biblical usage, the word designates only this place name and does not have a broader semantic range in common Hebrew. The name may reflect an association with 'heifer' or 'young cow' but serves functionally as a geographical designation in context.
Semantic Range
(proper noun) a settlement or area named Parah in territory of Benjamin; (by formation, not in attested usage: heifer)
Root / Etymology
פָּרָה is likely derived from the root פָּרָה (parah, 'heifer', feminine of פַּר 'bull'), but in this instance operates as a proper noun and place name. The use as a toponym may indicate the area’s association with cattle-rearing, or a local tradition, though the specific reason for the name is not preserved in the biblical text. Root meaning and lexical meaning diverge here, as the primary function in context is as a designation for a locality.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פָּרָה as a place name appears only in Joshua 18:23, where it is listed among the towns allotted to the tribe of Benjamin during the territorial apportionment. There is no narrative detail or description of the location beyond its mention in the boundary list, and its precise historical or archaeological identification remains uncertain. While the term derives from the Hebrew root for 'heifer', this is not an indication of the function of the place, but may reflect naming conventions relating to local agriculture or animal husbandry. English translations render it as 'Parah', preserving the Hebrew pronunciation. The term never refers to a person or concept outside of this geographical context in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as פָּרָה; Parah, a place in Palestine; Parah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פרה (p-r-h) — to bear fruit, to be fruitful, to bring forth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6509 | פָּרָה | he made me fruitful |
| H6510 | פָּרָה | cow |
| H6529 | פְּרִי | in his fruit |
| H669 | אֶפְרַיִם | Double Fruitfulness |
| H672 | אֶפְרָת | in Fruitful-Place |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6511-01 |
וְ/הַ/פָּרָ֖ה | vehaparah | HC/Td/Np |
and Parah | and the Parah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6511-01 |
Joshua 18:23 | וְ/הַ/פָּרָ֖ה | vehaparah | HC/Td/Np |
and Parah | and the Parah |