פָּרַק
𐤐𐤓𐤒
pâraq
H6561 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To break off, pull apart, or detach; to separate something forcibly from its place or from other parts, either literally or metaphorically. In figurative contexts, it can mean to liberate, deliver, or rescue, especially by forceful removal from danger or oppression. The semantic range encompasses both physical breaking/separating and acts of deliverance through forcible separation.
Semantic Range
to break off, to pull apart, to tear in pieces, to remove forcibly, to deliver by removal, to rescue (from oppression), to detach (physical objects), to separate (oneself or another)
Root / Etymology
Root: פרק. The core root meaning is 'to break apart, to detach.' The verb פָּרַק derives directly from this root, denoting actions of severing, pulling off, or separating with force. The transition from literal physical breaking to figurative deliverance reflects a typical semantic extension in Hebrew, where physical action verbs acquire broader metaphorical senses.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פָּרַק is used in the Hebrew Bible both for literal actions (such as removing a yoke from oxen, Gen 27:40, or pulling off earrings, Gen 35:4) and for figurative actions (delivering or rescuing someone from oppression, Neh 5:8). In post-biblical Hebrew, the verb continues to denote 'to remove' or 'unload' (e.g., burdens or constraints). Whereas English translations sometimes render פָּרַק as 'redeem' or 'deliver,' these can overlap with other distinct Hebrew roots (e.g., גאל, פדה), which have narrower meanings related specifically to redemption or ransom. פָּרַק's unique nuance involves separation or release by forcible removal rather than formal redemption; thus, 'deliver' via פָּרַק typically implies relief from something by breaking bonds or physical removal. The term functions both in ritual contexts and in depictions of liberation from servitude or oppression. Usage remains largely consistent across biblical periods, but later translations sometimes introduce interpretive extensions (such as the use of 'redemption'), which do not reflect the precise nuance of the Hebrew verb.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to break off or crunch; figuratively, to deliver; break (off), deliver, redeem, rend (in pieces), tear in pieces.
Bantu Hebrew
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פרק (p-r-q) — break apart, detach, pull off, separate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4665 | מִפְרֶקֶת | his neck-joint |
| H6562 | פְּרַק | Break off! |
| H6563 | פֶּרֶק | the breaking-apart |
| H6564 | פָּרָק | and disjointed-meat broth |
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6561-05 |
פֹּ֝רֵ֗ק | poreq | HVqrmsa |
rending | breaking-apart one | 2 |
H6561-07 |
וַ/יִּפְרְקֵ֥/נוּ | vayifereqenu | HC/Vqw3ms/Sp1cp |
and he delivered us | and he tore us free | 1 |
H6561-08 |
וַ/יִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙ | vayiteparequ | HC/Vtw3mp |
all broke off | they tore themselves loose | 1 |
H6561-09 |
יְפָרֵֽק | yefareq | HVpi3ms |
he-will-break | he will tear apart | 1 |
H6561-02 |
הִתְפָּרְק֧וּ | hiteparequ | HVtp3cp |
they-were-broken-off | they detached themselves | 1 |
H6561-06 |
וּ/פָרַקְתָּ֥ | ufaraqeta | HC/Vqq2ms |
you will break | and you will break apart | 1 |
H6561-03 |
מְפָרֵק֩ | mefareq | HVprmsa |
tearing | one who tears apart | 1 |
H6561-04 |
פָּֽרְקוּ֙ | parequ | HVpv2mp |
Break off | Tear apart! | 1 |
H6561-01 |
הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ | hiteparaqu | HVtv2mp |
let them take it off | detach yourselves | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6561-06 |
Genesis 27:40 | וּ/פָרַקְתָּ֥ | ufaraqeta | HC/Vqq2ms |
you will break | and you will break apart |
H6561-04 |
Exodus 32:2 | פָּֽרְקוּ֙ | parequ | HVpv2mp |
Break off | Tear apart! |
H6561-08 |
Exodus 32:3 | וַ/יִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙ | vayiteparequ | HC/Vtw3mp |
all broke off | they tore themselves loose |
H6561-01 |
Exodus 32:24 | הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ | hiteparaqu | HVtv2mp |
let them take it off | detach yourselves |
H6561-03 |
1 Kings 19:11 | מְפָרֵק֩ | mefareq | HVprmsa |
tearing | one who tears apart |
H6561-02 |
Ezekiel 19:12 | הִתְפָּרְק֧וּ | hiteparequ | HVtp3cp |
they-were-broken-off | they detached themselves |
H6561-09 |
Zechariah 11:16 | יְפָרֵֽק | yefareq | HVpi3ms |
he-will-break | he will tear apart |
H6561-05 |
Psalms 7:3 | פֹּ֝רֵ֗ק | poreq | HVqrmsa |
rending | breaking-apart one |
H6561-07 |
Psalms 136:24 | וַ/יִּפְרְקֵ֥/נוּ | vayifereqenu | HC/Vqw3ms/Sp1cp |
and he delivered us | and he tore us free |
H6561-05 |
Lamentations 5:8 | פֹּרֵ֖ק | poreq | HVqrmsa |
to deliver | breaking-apart one |