פְּשַׁר
𐤐𐤔𐤓
pᵉshar
H6590 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To interpret, especially to explain the meaning of dreams, enigmas, or ambiguous messages. In the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, פְּשַׁר refers specifically to the act of providing an authoritative explanation, particularly of concealed or obscure communications such as dreams or portents. The term denotes both the act of elucidation and sometimes the resulting explanation or interpretation itself.
Semantic Range
to provide an authoritative explanation, particularly of dreams; to interpret or explain enigmas; to make known the meaning of mysterious or obscure messages; the act or result of interpretation
Root / Etymology
פְּשַׁר is related to the root פָּשַׁר (Aramaic), which in turn is conceptually parallel to the Hebrew root פָּתַר meaning 'to interpret (dreams)'. The underlying Aramaic root carries the sense of solving, explaining, untying (as a knot), akin to providing the underlying meaning behind something unclear. The Hebrew (Aramaic) verb is causative in form (Pael/Aphel), usually referring to interpretation by means of explanation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פְּשַׁר is used only in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, most notably in the book of Daniel (Chapters 2-5), where it refers to the role of interpreters in the Babylonian court, often in connection with deciphering royal dreams or mysterious writing. The equivalent Hebrew term is פָּתַר (used in, e.g., Genesis 40-41). Both terms convey the notion of providing insight into cryptic messages, but פְּשַׁר is distinctively Aramaic and appears later in the biblical period. Outside biblical texts, the root appears in other Aramaic literature and continues in post-biblical usage; notably, 'pesher' in the Dead Sea Scrolls refers to commentaries that provide authoritative interpretation of prophetic texts. Standard English translations usually render פְּשַׁר as 'interpret', but this may understate the authoritative and revelatory character implied in its biblical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to פָּתַר; to interpret; make (interpretations), interpreting.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פשר (p-š-r) — to interpret, to explain, to solve, to unravel
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6590-02 |
מְפַשַּׁ֣ר | mefashar | AVprmsc |
interpreting | interpreter of | 1 |
H6590-01 |
לְ/מִפְשַׁ֖ר | lemifeshar | AR/Vqc |
to interpret | to interpret | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6590-02 |
Daniel 5:12 | מְפַשַּׁ֣ר | mefashar | AVprmsc |
interpreting | interpreter of |
H6590-01 |
Daniel 5:16 | לְ/מִפְשַׁ֖ר | lemifeshar | AR/Vqc |
to interpret | to interpret |