פָּארוּר (pa.rur)
pa.rur
pale
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun pa’arur appears only once in the Old Testament, in Joel 1:18. Its precise meaning is debated among scholars, with lexicons describing its sense as "uncertain" or "dubious." The most common interpretation suggests it refers to a glow or heat, likely describing the physical distress of livestock suffering from drought.
In this single occurrence, the word describes cattle whose tongues are parched. This context supports the idea that pa’arur relates to the intense heat of the sun or the resulting dryness and feverish state of the animals. The term captures a vivid image of agricultural devastation, where the very lifeblood of rural existence is withering under oppressive conditions.
Because the word is so rare and its etymology unclear, translators often struggle with it. Some render it as "parched" or "dried up," focusing on the result of the heat, while others retain a sense of the burning sensation itself. Its scarcity makes it a unique lexical marker in Joel’s lament, highlighting the severity of the locust plague and drought that have left the land barren and the animals suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pa’arur appears only once in Scripture, found in Joel 1:18 where it describes cattle suffering from intense heat and drought. The text paints a vivid picture of agricultural devastation, where the land is barren and livestock are physically weakened by the oppressive conditions. This single occurrence highlights the severity of the crisis facing the people.
When we encounter such imagery, we see how deeply physical suffering intersects with spiritual lament. The prophet uses this rare term to convey the totality of the loss, reminding us that God sees the pain of creation. It invites us to bring our own moments of exhaustion and distress to Him, knowing He understands the weight of hardship.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a glow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פָארֽוּר\׃1×