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פְּרַס

𐤐𐤓𐤎

pᵉraç

H6537 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פרס to split, divide, break in two

Definition

To divide or separate one part from another, specifically to split or partition something, often used in contexts referring to apportioning or dividing kingdoms or territories. In the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, especially in Daniel, it refers to the act of dividing or breaking apart an entity, whether literal (such as objects) or metaphorical (such as a kingdom).

Semantic Range

to split, to divide, to break apart, to apportion, to partition a realm or object

Root / Etymology

Aramaic verbal root identical with Hebrew פָּרַס (paras); Aramaic פְּרַס (pᵉraṣ) is the Peal (G-stem) verb form meaning 'to divide'. Derived from the root פרס meaning 'to break in two, split, divide'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פְּרַס occurs in Biblical Aramaic, notably in Daniel 5 in the interpretation of the writing on the wall ('Peres... your kingdom is divided'). It is used in the context of the division of the Babylonian empire, symbolizing the end or fragmentation of a political entity. The term is closely related to the Hebrew verb פָּרַס, but in Biblical Hebrew, פָּרַס typically carries the sense 'to spread out' (as with wings or a covering), while the Aramaic form retains the older meaning of 'to divide or break apart.' English translations often render it as 'divided' in Daniel, but the nuance includes a forceful or decisive partition, not a gentle sharing. The famous Aramaic phrase in Daniel 5 ('Peres... your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians') shows a semantic focus on the violent or decisive ending of a kingdom's unity. Later Hebrew and post-biblical usage of the root פרס may shift meanings, but in the context of Aramaic Daniel it strongly means 'to divide, split.' The connection to the noun פָּרַס ('Persia') is through vocalic similarity rather than direct etymology; 'Persia' as a nation is not meant by this verb.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to פָּרַס; to split up; divide, (U-) pharsin.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פרס (p-r-s) — split, divide, break apart

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6536 פָּרַס to split
H6538 פֶּרֶס the tearing talon
H6539 פָּרַס Persia
H6540 פָּרַס Persia
H6541 פַּרְסָה with split hooves of

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6537-03 וּ/פַרְסִֽין ufaresin AC/Nxxxa and-PARSIN and divisions 1
H6537-02 פְּרִיסַת֙ perisat AVQp3fs has been divided she was divided 1
H6537-01 פְּרֵ֑ס peres ANxxxa PERES division 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6537-03 Daniel 5:25 וּ/פַרְסִֽין ufaresin AC/Nxxxa and-PARSIN and divisions
H6537-01 Daniel 5:28 פְּרֵ֑ס peres ANxxxa PERES division
H6537-02 Daniel 5:28 פְּרִיסַת֙ perisat AVQp3fs has been divided she was divided
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