פָּעַר
𐤐𐤏𐤓
pâʻar
H6473 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To open wide, to make or become distended; used primarily for the mouth but also for the opening of objects or in a metaphorical sense, such as being opened to receive.
Semantic Range
to open wide (one's mouth), to gape, to cause to be open wide, to be distended with expectation or threat, metaphorically of Sheol or wild animals 'opening wide' to consume
Root / Etymology
The verb פָּעַר is built on the root פּ-ע-ר, which carries the basic sense of opening wide or making something gaping. The derived forms remain consistent with the imagery of a wide opening or widening action. There are no securely related terms in Northwest Semitic cognates, and the root is rarely attested outside of Biblical Hebrew, indicating it may be onomatopoeic in origin (imitative of a gaping mouth).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, פָּעַר is primarily used with reference to the mouth, often with the nuance of opening the mouth wide (for example, in hunger, surprise, or speech). In poetic contexts, it describes predatory animals or the grave as 'opening wide' (Isaiah 5:14; Psalm 35:21, 25), conveying threat or consumption. The verb typically does not convey the specific sense of simple 'opening,' but instead a dramatic gaping or distension, sometimes with an implied voracity or readiness to receive. In later Hebrew, this root is rare. English translations often render it as 'open wide,' 'gape,' or 'stretch wide,' but some nuances—like the threat or anticipation attached to the verb—may be softened or lost in many translations. Not closely related to other common Hebrew verbs for 'open' (e.g., פָּתַח).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to yawn, i.e. open wide (literally or figuratively); gape, open (wide).
Bantu Hebrew
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פער (p-ʿ-r) — to open wide, to gape, to make distended
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6473-02 |
פָּעֲר֬וּ | paaru | HVqp3cp |
they gaped | they opened wide | 2 |
H6473-01 |
פָ֭עַרְתִּי | faareti | HVqp1cs |
I opened wide | I opened wide | 1 |
H6473-03 |
וּ/פָעֲרָ֥ה | ufaarah | HC/Vqp3fs |
and opened | and she opened wide | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6473-03 |
Isaiah 5:14 | וּ/פָעֲרָ֥ה | ufaarah | HC/Vqp3fs |
and opened | and she opened wide |
H6473-01 |
Psalms 119:131 | פָ֭עַרְתִּי | faareti | HVqp1cs |
I opened wide | I opened wide |
H6473-02 |
Job 16:10 | פָּעֲר֬וּ | paaru | HVqp3cp |
they gaped | they opened wide |
H6473-02 |
Job 29:23 | פָּעֲר֥וּ | paaru | HVqp3cp |
they opened | they opened wide |