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פָּרַס

𐤐𐤓𐤎

Paras

H6539 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain uncertain; not a Hebrew root word

Definition

The term פָּרַס (Pâras) primarily denotes the ancient polity and region known as Persia, referring both to the land and, by extension, its ruling people during the period of the Israelite exile and subsequent return. In biblical usage, Pâras refers to the Median-Persian political entity and its inhabitants, not exclusively to ethnic Persians as later understood. The term functions as a geographic and political designation, often appearing with Media (מָדַי) to describe the combined empire.

Semantic Range

Persia (region), Persian Empire (particularly during the Achaemenid period), Persian inhabitants, Median-Persian polity, Persian administration

Root / Etymology

Of foreign (likely Old Persian or Elamite) origin; not derived from a known Hebrew verbal or nominal root. Entered Hebrew from the name of the territory and polity known in Old Persian as Pārsa, referring to the region and people of southwestern Iran. The word is a direct borrowing, not derived from a native Semitic/Hebrew root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פָּרַס always refers to the region and kingdom known in English as Persia, a major imperial power from the late 6th century BCE onward. In the Hebrew Bible, Pâras almost always appears in conjunction with Media (e.g., מָדַי וּפָרַס 'Media and Persia')—especially in exilic and post-exilic books such as Daniel, Ezra, Esther, and Chronicles. The biblical concept of 'Persian' is primarily political and geographic, designating members of the imperial administration or inhabitants of the region, and does not necessarily correspond to later ideas of 'Persian' ethnicity or language. Later English versions often translate פָּרַס as 'Persian' or 'Persia,' but these terms can obscure the ancient usage, which was more focused on political power and territory. In the prophetic books (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel), פָּרַס stands as both an imperial power and as a background for restoration and interaction with restored Israelite communities. The later term 'Persian' in Greco-Roman literature covers a wider semantic range than the biblical פָּרַס. There is no evidence in the biblical corpus for 'Persia' referring to later religious or ethnic identities associated with Iran or Zoroastrianism.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of foreign origin; Paras (i.e. Persia), an Eastern country, including its inhabitants; Persia, Persians.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פרס (p-r-s) — foreign proper name; Persia; Persian polity

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6536 פָּרַס to split
H6537 פְּרַס division
H6538 פֶּרֶס the tearing talon
H6540 פָּרַס Persia
H6541 פַּרְסָה with split hooves of

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6539-03 פָּרַ֨ס paras HNp of Persia Persia 22
H6539-01 פָֽרַס faras HNp the Persians Persia 3
H6539-04 וּ/פָרָֽס ufaras HC/Np and Persia and Persia 2
H6539-02 לְ/פָרַ֗ס lefaras HR/Np for Persia to Persia 1

Occurrences in Scripture

28 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6539-03 Ezekiel 27:10 פָּרַ֨ס paras HNp Persia Persia
H6539-03 Ezekiel 38:5 פָּרַ֛ס paras HNp Persia Persia
H6539-03 Esther 1:3 פָּרַ֣ס paras HNp of Persia Persia
H6539-03 Esther 1:14 פָּרַ֣ס paras HNp Persia Persia
H6539-03 Esther 1:18 פָּֽרַס paras HNp of Persia Persia
H6539-01 Esther 1:19 פָֽרַס faras HNp the Persians Persia
H6539-04 Esther 10:2 וּ/פָרָֽס ufaras HC/Np and Persia and Persia
H6539-04 Daniel 8:20 וּ/פָרָֽס ufaras HC/Np and Persia and Persia
H6539-03 Daniel 10:1 פָּרַ֔ס paras HNp of Persia Persia
H6539-03 Daniel 10:13 פָּרַ֗ס paras HNp of Persia Persia
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