פָּרַס
𐤐𐤓𐤎
pâraç
H6536 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To split or divide into parts, typically by separating or cleaving; by extension, to distribute or apportion something by dividing. Most commonly, used in reference to the splitting of the hoof in permitted animals, but also signifies the dividing or separation of objects or groups. The semantic range includes acts of physical division, as well as metaphorical or legal distribution.
Semantic Range
to split (as hoof), to cleave, to break apart, to divide (object or group), to distribute, to apportion, to tear
Root / Etymology
From the root פרס, which expresses the concept of splitting or breaking apart. The basic idea is that of creating distinct sections by separation. The form פָּרַס is the qal verbal form, meaning 'to split' or 'to divide.' The root occurs in other Semitic languages with similar senses of dividing or apportioning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פָּרַס appears most prominently in legal and ritual contexts within the Torah, especially in discussions of clean and unclean animals, where it refers to animals that 'split the hoof' (e.g. Leviticus 11:3). In such passages, the precision of splitting or dividing is an important criterion for ritual purity. The verb is also applied metaphorically to acts of division or apportionment, such as sharing food or dividing spoils. Over time, the usage remained narrowly focused, largely ritual and technical rather than broadly metaphorical. English translations such as 'part,' 'divide,' and 'clove' capture the physical aspect, but sometimes obscure the technical, legal, or ritual nuances specific to Israelite priestly law. There is some overlap but not exact synonymy with verbs like בָּדַל (to separate) or חָלַק (to divide, apportion), as פָּרַס emphasizes the act of splitting or cleaving, especially into two parts. Later Jewish and rabbinic tradition continued to interpret פָּרַס in these technical legal senses when discussing dietary laws.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute; deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
פָּרַס (pâraç) — to split, to cleave, to divide, to apportion
Word Forms
8 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6536-05 |
מַפְרִ֨יס | maferis | HVhrmsc |
divides | one causing to split | one causing to split | 4 |
H6536-04 |
מַפְרֶ֣סֶת | mafereset | HVhrfsc |
divides | causing-to-split (feminine) | dividing | 3 |
H6536-06 |
וּ/מִ/מַּפְרִיסֵ֥י | umimaferisey | HC/R/Vhrmpc |
or of those that divide | and from the ones causing to split | and from the ones causing to split | 2 |
H6536-01 |
פָרֹ֤ס | faros | HVqa |
to divide | to split | to divide | 1 |
H6536-02 |
הִפְרִ֑יסָה | hiferisah | HVhp3fs |
divides | she caused to split | she split | 1 |
H6536-03 |
הִפְרִ֔יסוּ | hiferisu | HVhp3cp |
they divide | they caused to split apart | they split | 1 |
H6536-07 |
יַפְרִ֑יס | yaferis | HVhi3ms |
it divides | he causes to split | it causes to split | 1 |
H6536-08 |
יִפְרְס֥וּ | yiferesu | HVqi3mp |
break bread | they will split | they will break | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
14 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6536-04 |
Leviticus 11:3 | מַפְרֶ֣סֶת | mafereset | HVhrfsa |
divides | causing-to-split (feminine) | dividing |
H6536-06 |
Leviticus 11:4 | וּ/מִ/מַּפְרִיסֵ֖י | umimaferisey | HC/R/Vhrmpc |
or of those that divide | and from the ones causing to split | and from the ones causing to split |
H6536-05 |
Leviticus 11:4 | מַפְרִ֔יס | maferis | HVhrmsa |
dividing | one causing to split | one causing to split |
H6536-07 |
Leviticus 11:5 | יַפְרִ֑יס | yaferis | HVhi3ms |
it divides | he causes to split | it causes to split |
H6536-02 |
Leviticus 11:6 | הִפְרִ֑יסָה | hiferisah | HVhp3fs |
divides | she caused to split | she split |
H6536-05 |
Leviticus 11:7 | מַפְרִ֨יס | maferis | HVhrmsa |
parts | one causing to split | one causing to split |
H6536-04 |
Leviticus 11:26 | מַפְרֶ֨סֶת | mafereset | HVhrfsa |
divides | causing-to-split (feminine) | divides |
H6536-04 |
Deuteronomy 14:6 | מַפְרֶ֣סֶת | mafereset | HVhrfsc |
that divides | causing-to-split (feminine) | dividing |
H6536-06 |
Deuteronomy 14:7 | וּ/מִ/מַּפְרִיסֵ֥י | umimaferisey | HC/R/Vhrmpc |
or of those that have | and from the ones causing to split | and those that split |
H6536-03 |
Deuteronomy 14:7 | הִפְרִ֔יסוּ | hiferisu | HVhp3cp |
they divide | they caused to split apart | they split |
H6536-05 |
Deuteronomy 14:8 | מַפְרִ֨יס | maferis | HVhrmsc |
divides | one causing to split | one causing to split |
H6536-01 |
Isaiah 58:7 | פָרֹ֤ס | faros | HVqa |
to divide | to split | to divide |
H6536-08 |
Jeremiah 16:7 | יִפְרְס֥וּ | yiferesu | HVqi3mp |
break bread | they will split | they will break |
H6536-05 |
Psalms 69:32 | מַפְרִֽיס | maferis | HVhrmsa |
hoofed | one causing to split | hoofed |