פּוּר
𐤐𐤅𐤓
pûwr
H6331 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To break, shatter, or break in pieces, typically conveying violent destruction or causing something to become ineffective or void. The core sense is destruction by breaking or crushing, often with the implication of rendering something powerless or null.
Semantic Range
to shatter, to break in pieces, to demolish, to nullify, to destroy thoroughly, to render powerless
Root / Etymology
Root פוּר (p-w-r), meaning 'to break, shatter, crush.' The verb form in Biblical Hebrew is rare and may be archaic, preserved mainly in poetic or wisdom contexts. The word derives directly from the root, expressing an action of violent physical or conceptual breaking.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פּוּר appears only rarely in Biblical Hebrew, chiefly attested in poetical or wisdom literature (e.g., Psalms, Proverbs). The term typically conveys the sense of breaking or bringing to ruin, either in a literal physical sense or as a metaphor for nullifying counsel, strength, or an adversary. It can carry the nuance of rendering ineffective what was strong or secure, demolishing plans or resistance. In post-biblical Hebrew, the root is largely obsolete, replaced by more common verbs for 'break' or 'destroy.' The most recognized noun derived from this root, 'purim,' in Esther (H6332), is not etymologically related but rather of Persian origin. Standard English translations (e.g., 'break,' 'destroy') capture the core action but often miss the vividness or totality of the Biblical usage, where the emphasis is on utter collapse or irreversible destruction. There is no evidence for this root with the specific meaning of 'casting lots' (the sense in Esther is loaned and not connected to this Semitic root).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to crush; break, bring to nought, [idiom] utterly take.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פור (p-w-r) — to break, shatter, crush
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6331-02 |
הֵפִ֑יר | hefir | HVhp3ms |
brings-to-nought | he shattered | 2 |
H6331-01 |
אָפִ֣יר | afir | HVhi1cs |
will I reject | I will cause to shatter | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6331-02 |
Ezekiel 17:19 | הֵפִ֑יר | hefir | HVhp3ms |
he broke | he shattered |
H6331-02 |
Psalms 33:10 | הֵפִ֥יר | hefir | HVhp3ms |
brings-to-nought | he shattered |
H6331-01 |
Psalms 89:34 | אָפִ֣יר | afir | HVhi1cs |
will I reject | I will cause to shatter |