פָּרָא (pa.ra)
pa.ra
be fruitful
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb para, appearing in the Hiphil stem, conveys the idea of bearing fruit or being made fruitful. It serves as a variant spelling for the more common form parah (H6509), carrying the same core meaning across both spellings. In Scripture, this action applies broadly to people, animals, and even vegetation like vines, emphasizing a natural or divinely enabled productivity.
Its usage in Hosea highlights a specific theological weight: God’s promise to restore Israel’s fertility after judgment. The Hiphil form often implies causation—making something fruitful—but here it underscores the source of that fruitfulness as divine grace rather than human effort. This distinction helps readers see that the land’s abundance is tied to covenant faithfulness, not just agricultural technique.
Though rare in the Hebrew Bible, with only one occurrence recorded under this spelling, its presence in Hosea anchors a key moment of restoration. Translators typically render it as "be fruitful" or "bear fruit," preserving the simple, direct nature of the command and promise. The word’s rarity makes its single appearance stand out, marking a pivotal turn in the prophet’s message.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word para appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Hosea 13:15. Here it describes a person who is fruitful among his brothers. This single occurrence carries a heavy weight because it sits right before a warning of dryness and loss. It reminds us that fruitfulness is not a permanent state we can claim for ourselves, but a gift that depends on God’s breath.
When life feels abundant, it is easy to forget the source of that abundance. This verse invites us to look beyond our own efforts or natural talents. True productivity comes from Yahweh. Even when circumstances seem dry, remembering that God is the one who makes us fruitful brings a steady hope that does not depend on our own strength.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he flourishes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יַפְרִ֑יא1×
Key Verses
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Hosea 13:15
Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of Yahweh coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.
This verse uses para to describe human fruitfulness, setting up a stark contrast with the coming divine judgment that will dry up those same resources.