פֵּרָה
𐤐𐤓𐤄
pêrâh
H6512 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A pit, hole, or cavity, typically one that is dug or hollowed in the earth; in context, used as a designation for a burrowing animal, most likely a mole, based on its dwelling in the earth. The word's primary meaning refers to the physical depression or cavity, but by metonymy, it came also to denote the inhabitant (especially a burrowing mammal).
Semantic Range
hole, pit, cavity, burrow; by extension, a burrowing animal (prob. mole or similar rodent)
Root / Etymology
From the root פּוּר (pur), meaning 'to break, bore, or dig.' פֵּרָה (pêrâh) derives as a feminine noun indicating something that is dug out; its etymological core is the 'digging' or 'boring' action, resulting in a pit or hole.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פֵּרָה occurs only in Leviticus 11:30 in the context of unclean animals, where it is commonly interpreted as 'mole' based on the associated characteristic of burrowing. Lexical comparison is sometimes made with חֲפֹר (ḥafor, 'mole'), but the terms may not refer to the same species. It is unclear exactly which animal פֵּרָה designates; some suggest a kind of burrowing rodent. Later translations and identification traditions have influenced the common association with 'mole,' but the ancient Israelite taxonomy of animals does not exactly align with modern zoological categories. The focus in context is on the behavior (burrowing/digging holes) rather than precise species. In later Hebrew, related terms continue to designate burrowing animals or their holes. English Bible versions often translate פֵּרָה as 'mole,' but this may be imprecise and based on post-biblical identification.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פּוּר; a hole (as broken, i.e. dug); [phrase] mole. Compare חֲפֹר.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פור (p-w-r (pur)) — to break, bore, dig
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6331 | פּוּר | I will cause to shatter |
| H6332 | פּוּר | Lots |
| H6333 | פּוּרָה | grape-crushing vat |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6512-01 |
פֵּר֖וֹת | perot | HNcfpa |
holes | dug-out pits | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6512-01 |
Isaiah 2:20 | פֵּר֖וֹת | perot | HNcfpa |
holes | dug-out pits |