פָּרָה

Parah, a place in Palestine

Definition

Parah is a proper noun referring to a town located in the territory of Benjamin, as recorded in the list of cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin after the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 18:23). The name itself means 'heifer' or 'cow,' deriving from the same root as the common noun. As a place name, it signifies a specific geographical location, likely named for a local topographical feature or perhaps an association with cattle. The Bible provides no further narrative details about events in Parah; its sole mention is in this administrative list.

Biblical Usage

The word פָּרָה (Pârâh) is used only once in the Old Testament, exclusively as a proper noun for a town. It appears in Joshua 18:23 within a catalog of cities given to the tribe of Benjamin. There is no other usage in different contexts or books, making its function purely geographical and administrative in this single biblical record.

Etymology

The name Parah is identical to the feminine singular noun פָּרָה (pārâ, H6510), meaning 'heifer' or 'cow.' It is derived from the root פרה (prh), which carries the basic meaning of being fruitful, increasing, or bearing fruit. As a place name, it likely originated from a descriptive feature of the landscape or the agricultural/pastoral livelihood of its inhabitants.

Semantic Range

Place names in ancient Israel often derived from animals, plants, or physical characteristics of the land. Naming a town 'Heifer' (Parah) likely reflected its economic or environmental setting, possibly indicating good pastureland for cattle or a location shaped like a heifer. This practice of descriptive naming helped identify and remember locations within the tribal territories.

פָּרָה (pārâ, H6510) — The common noun for 'heifer' or 'cow,' from which the place name is directly taken. עֶגְלָה (ʿeglâ, H5697) — Another term for a young cow or heifer, often used in ritual contexts (e.g., Jeremiah 46:20).

Word Details

Scripture References