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פַּרְעֹשׁ

𐤐𐤓𐤏𐤔

parʻôsh

H6550 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פרע to be loose, let go, be unkempt, break out

Definition

A small, jumping, bloodsucking insect (flea), specifically of the order Siphonaptera. In biblical usage, refers either to the literal insect or is invoked as a metaphor for something insignificant, contemptible, or easily dismissed. May also appear as a personal or family name in post-exilic genealogical lists, possibly reflecting the literal meaning or as a traditional family designation.

Semantic Range

flea (insect), metaphor for insignificance or vulnerability, personal or clan name (Parosh) in post-exilic genealogical contexts

Root / Etymology

Formed from a compound of פָּרַע (para‘, 'to break out, to let go, to be wild') and עָשׁ (‘āsh, 'moth' or sometimes 'worm'). The formation reflects the characteristic activity of the flea: its jumping or restless darting. The noun does not follow the most common Hebrew patterns for animal names, but the etymology appears semantically plausible. The personal name 'Parosh' in post-exilic texts may derive from the same root or may be a homograph; etymology in this context remains uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פַּרְעֹשׁ appears in the Hebrew Bible in two significant ways: (1) as a reference to the insect, notably in the David–Saul narratives (1 Samuel 24:15 and 26:20), where David uses the term of himself as 'a single flea,' emphasizing his perceived insignificance in Saul's eyes. Here the metaphorical dimension is prominent, contrasting the flea’s smallness and vulnerability with the overwhelming force pursuing him. (2) In Ezra–Nehemiah, פַּרְעֹשׁ is listed as a family or clan name among the returnees from Babylonian exile, most probably preserving an ancient family or founder name. English translations sometimes render the name as 'Parosh' but often do not convey any inherent meaning, and in the genealogical context it should not be interpreted as 'flea' but as a proper noun. There is no evidence that the clan name was in use before the exilic period. No connection to ‘Jew’ or similar later terms is contextually relevant; פַּרְעֹשׁ is used both as a literal zoological term and as a post-exilic personal/family name, the latter with unclear origin.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from פָּרַע and עָשׁ; a flea (as the isolated insect); flea.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פרע (p-r-ʿ) — to be loose, let go, break out, be unkempt

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6544 פָּרַע in letting loose
H6545 פֶּרַע unbound hair of
H6546 פַּרְעָה leaders of
H6549 פַּרְעֹה נְכֹה Pharaoh Necho
H6552 פִּרְעָתוֹן in Pirathon

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6550-01 פַּרְעֹ֥שׁ pareosh HNcmsa a flea flea 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6550-01 1 Samuel 24:15 פַּרְעֹ֥שׁ pareosh HNcmsa a flea flea
H6550-01 1 Samuel 26:20 פַּרְעֹ֣שׁ pareosh HNcmsa flea flea
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