פָּעַר (pa.ar)
pa.ar
to open
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb paʿar describes the physical act of opening wide or gaping, specifically referring to the mouth or jaws. It is a concrete term that captures the visual of something stretching open, often in response to awe, fear, or sudden shock. With only four occurrences in the Old Testament, it appears primarily in poetic and prophetic books like Job, Psalms, and Isaiah.
In these texts, the word illustrates a visceral reaction rather than a casual action. For instance, Psalm 2:4 depicts nations plotting against God, but the image shifts to those who witness His majesty with mouths agape in astonishment. Similarly, Isaiah uses the term to describe the gaping jaws of Sheol or the open mouth of the earth swallowing rebels, emphasizing a dramatic and often terrifying expansion.
This word distinguishes itself by focusing on the physical state of being wide open, rather than the mechanical process of unlocking or unfastening. It conveys a sense of involuntary exposure or readiness to receive something overwhelming. The imagery suggests that what is opened is not just a door, but a capacity for reaction—whether it be speechless wonder or the terrifying void of judgment.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew verb paʿar captures a visceral moment of opening wide, often in response to awe, fear, or sudden shock. It is not a casual action but a physical stretching of the mouth or jaws, revealing an involuntary reaction to something overwhelming. In Job and Psalms, this imagery highlights human vulnerability before God’s majesty or judgment.
When you encounter this word, consider how your own heart responds to divine truth. Like the psalmist who opened his mouth wide in longing for God’s commandments, paʿar invites us to approach Scripture with eager anticipation rather than passive routine. It reminds us that faith involves openness—whether in wonder, repentance, or desire.
This concrete image grounds our spiritual life in reality. We are not meant to keep our hearts closed off but to let God’s presence stretch us beyond comfort. In moments of awe or need, paʿar encourages honest exposure before Him, trusting that He meets us with grace rather than condemnation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they opened wide1×
- people have opened wide1×
- and/ it will open wide1×
- I opened wide1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פָּעֲר֬וּ1×
- פָּעֲר֥וּ1×
- פָ֭עַרְתִּי1×
- וּ/פָעֲרָ֥ה1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 119:131
I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
The psalmist uses paʿar to describe opening his mouth wide in eager longing for God’s commandments, showing that this word can express heartfelt spiritual desire rather than just shock or fear.
-
Job 16:10
They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
Here, enemies gape at Job with their mouths, illustrating how paʿar conveys aggressive confrontation and the physical manifestation of scorn in times of suffering.
-
Isaiah 5:14
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who rejoices among them, descend into it.
Sheol’s mouth opens without measure, using paʿar to depict the terrifying expansion of judgment that swallows down the proud and rebellious.