פָּרָק

פָּרָק

soup (as full of crumbed meat)

Definition

The Hebrew noun פָּרָק (pârâq) refers to a type of broth or soup, specifically one containing crumbled or broken pieces of meat. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 65:4, where it describes a food item consumed in a context of pagan ritual impurity. The word emphasizes the substance's liquid nature combined with solid fragments, distinguishing it from a simple clear broth. Its singular biblical occurrence gives it a very specific, contextual meaning rather than a broad range of senses.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only in Isaiah 65:4. It occurs in a list of practices that God condemns as abominable, specifically those associated with idolatrous rituals and necromancy. The context is a prophetic indictment of a rebellious people who 'sit among the graves and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine's flesh, and the broth (פָּרָק) of abominable things is in their vessels.' Its usage is entirely negative, highlighting a violation of dietary and ceremonial law.

Etymology

פָּרָק (pârâq) is a noun derived from the root פָּרַק (pāraq, H6561), which means 'to tear apart, to break off, to deliver.' This root connection suggests the soup's defining characteristic: it contains meat that has been torn or broken into pieces. The semantic development moves from the action of breaking to the resulting product—a broth filled with those broken bits.

Semantic Range

While the word itself denotes a mundane food item, its sole biblical context in Isaiah 65:4 gives it significant theological weight. It serves as a marker of profound spiritual rebellion and syncretism, representing participation in pagan customs that defiled God's people. Understanding this specific term enriches the reading of Isaiah's prophecy by highlighting the concrete, everyday acts (like eating a certain soup) through which idolatry was practiced and which symbolized a complete breach of covenant faithfulness. In the ancient Near East, specific foods were often associated with particular religious rites. The 'broth of abominable things' likely refers to a meat-based stew prepared from animals sacrificed to idols or from creatures considered unclean (like swine). Consuming such a broth was not merely a dietary choice but an act of communal participation in pagan worship, fundamentally at odds with Israel's covenant identity and purity laws. מַרְקָח (marqāḥ, H4838) — a general term for a seasoned dish or stew, without the negative ritual connotation. מִזְרָק (mizrāq, H4219) — a bowl or basin for holding liquid, focusing on the vessel rather than the contents.

Word Details