פַּעֲרַי
𐤐𐤏𐤓𐤉
Paaray
H6474 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name, likely meaning 'belonging to Peʿer' or 'opening' depending on the interpretation of the underlying root. Primarily designates an individual named among the elite warriors (the 'mighty men') in King David's service.
Semantic Range
proper name (Paʿăray); possibly 'belonging to Peʿer'; possibly 'opening,' 'opener' (as a personal name)
Root / Etymology
From Hebrew root פָּעַר (p-ʿ-r), meaning 'to open wide, gape, yawn.' The name פַּעֲרַי (Paʿăray) possibly means 'belonging to Peʿer,' indicating a patronymic, or it could carry a meaning related to 'opening.' The precise etymology remains somewhat uncertain, but association with the root פָּעַר is widely accepted.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פַּעֲרַי (Paʿăray) appears in the listing of David's 'mighty men' (2 Samuel 23:35), specifically described as 'the Arbite,' likely indicating a geographic or clan association rather than a tribal one. The term is not used outside of personal naming convention and occurs only in lists of individuals. The root פָּעַר 'to open wide' is attested elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, but the personal name form is rare. Translation traditions sometimes transliterate the name directly, while others adapt it (e.g., Paarai). There is no evidence the figure referred to was known outside this monarchical context. The meaning has not shifted over time due to the word's restricted use as a proper noun. The standard translation as a personal name does not reflect any broader functional or symbolic meaning in biblical texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פָּעַר; yawning; Paarai, an Israelite; Paarai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פער (p-ʿ-r) — to open wide, gape, yawn
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6474-01 |
פַּעֲרַ֖י | paaray | HNp |
Paarai | Opener | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6474-01 |
2 Samuel 23:35 | פַּעֲרַ֖י | paaray | HNp |
Paarai | Opener |