פָּרָא
to bear fruit
Definition
The Hebrew verb פָּרָא (pârâʼ) means 'to bear fruit' or 'to be fruitful.' It specifically describes the process of a plant or tree producing fruit, as seen in its only biblical occurrence in Hosea 13:15, where it is used metaphorically for Ephraim's prosperity before judgment. While its core meaning is agricultural, in this prophetic context, it carries the sense of flourishing or becoming abundant. The word is a primitive root, indicating it is a foundational term from which other words might be derived, though its direct usage in the Hebrew Bible is limited to this single, potent instance.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in Hosea 13:15. It appears in a prophetic oracle of judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). The context is metaphorical: the prophet states that even if Ephraim 'bears fruit' (פָּרָא) among his brothers, a destructive east wind will come. Here, 'bearing fruit' symbolizes temporary prosperity, success, or population growth, which is then utterly devastated by God's judgment. Its sole use is in poetic, prophetic literature.
Etymology
פָּרָא (pârâʼ) is a primitive root verb in Biblical Hebrew. It is linguistically related to the more common verb פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509), which also means 'to be fruitful' or 'to multiply,' and is famously used in the creation mandate (Genesis 1:28). While פָּרָה is used frequently, פָּרָא appears to be a rarer, perhaps more archaic or dialectical form. Its root conveys the fundamental concept of bearing, bringing forth, or producing.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, פָּרָא is theologically significant in its context. In Hosea 13:15, it highlights a key prophetic theme: human prosperity and success are fleeting and utterly dependent on God's favor. Ephraim's 'fruit' is not a sign of enduring blessing but is presented as something that will be wiped out by the wind of God's judgment. This enriches the reading of Hosea by contrasting temporary earthly fruitfulness with the need for covenant faithfulness. It serves as a sober reminder that all fruitfulness comes from God and can be removed by Him.
In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, fruitfulness was a direct measure of blessing, survival, and prosperity. A tree or plant 'bearing fruit' (פָּרָא) was a sign of health, rain, and good soil—all seen as gifts from God. Hosea's audience would have immediately understood the metaphor: Ephraim's political and economic success was like a fruitful plant. However, the prophet subverts this cultural understanding by declaring that such fruit, if not rooted in faithfulness, is vulnerable and impermanent, destined to be blasted by the scorching 'east wind' (a common symbol for divine judgment).
פָּרָה (pârâh, H6509) — The standard and more frequent verb for 'to be fruitful' or 'to multiply,' used of people, animals, and plants (e.g., Genesis 1:22, 28). עָשָׂה פְּרִי (ʿāśâ pәrî) — A common phrase meaning 'to yield fruit' or 'to produce fruit,' focusing on the act of making (עָשָׂה) the fruit itself.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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