פָּרַס

to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute

Definition

The Hebrew verb פָּרַס (pâraç) primarily means 'to split' or 'to divide.' In its most common usage, it describes the physical characteristic of certain animals having a split hoof, as detailed in the dietary laws of Leviticus 11:3-7 and Deuteronomy 14:6-7. This sense involves a clean, natural division. In a more figurative and significant sense, the word is used to describe the act of dividing or distributing something, such as an empire or kingdom. This is powerfully illustrated in Daniel 5:28, where it prophesies the division of the Babylonian kingdom. Thus, the word encompasses both a literal, anatomical splitting and a metaphorical, sovereign partitioning.

Biblical Usage

פָּרַס is used 12 times in the Old Testament. Its primary context is in the legal texts of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, where it repeatedly describes the quality of a 'split hoof' to classify clean and unclean animals (e.g., Leviticus 11:3-7, 26; Deuteronomy 14:6-7). The other significant usage is in the prophetic book of Daniel. In Daniel 5:25, 28, it appears in the famous handwriting on the wall ('MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN'), where 'PERES' (the singular form) is interpreted as God 'dividing' the kingdom of Belshazzar and giving it to the Medes and Persians. This represents a shift from a physical description to a theological declaration of judgment and sovereignty.

Etymology

פָּרַס is a primitive root. It is cognate with the name 'Persia' (פָּרַס, H6539), likely because the Persian Empire was known for its division into provinces or satrapies. This connection suggests that the core meaning of 'dividing' or 'splitting' could be conceptually linked to the administrative partitioning of a realm. The meaning development moves from the concrete act of physical splitting to the abstract concept of distribution or apportionment, whether of animal traits or kingdoms.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges ritual purity and divine sovereignty. In the Torah, the 'split hoof' is a key marker of clean animals, teaching God's people about distinction and holiness in everyday life. In Daniel, the same root is used to proclaim God's ultimate authority over human kingdoms, demonstrating that He is the one who establishes and removes rulers, dividing empires according to His will (Daniel 5:28). Understanding this Hebrew word enriches the reading of Daniel 5 by showing a deliberate wordplay connecting the judgment ('divided') with the executors of that judgment (the Persians).

In its Levitical context, the 'split hoof' was a crucial, observable criterion for Israelites to identify which land animals were permissible for food and sacrifice. This was part of a broader system of purity laws that shaped daily life and communal identity. The modern reader might see this as merely a dietary rule, but it functioned as a continual, practical reminder of being set apart for God. The association with Persia in Daniel would have been immediately recognizable to the original audience, adding a layer of geopolitical resonance to the prophetic judgment.

חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to divide, share, or distribute; often used for allocating land or possessions, less specific to physical splitting. בָּקַע (bâqaʿ, H1234) — to split, cleave, or break open; used for violent rending like the earth or rocks, not for orderly division. פָּרַד (pârad, H6504) — to separate, divide, or scatter; focuses on separation into parts or dispersion of people.

Word Details

Scripture References