פִּרְאָם (pir.am)
pir.am
Piram
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Piram refers to a specific historical figure mentioned only once in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Joshua 10:3 as the king of Jarmuth. He is identified as an Amorite ruler who joined a coalition of five Canaanite kings to fight against Gibeon and the Israelites during the conquest period.
Lexical sources note that the name likely means "like a wild ass," a descriptive element that may reflect personal characteristics or tribal associations common in ancient Near Eastern naming conventions. This single occurrence places him firmly within the narrative of Joshua’s military campaigns, serving as one of many local leaders whose resistance is recorded in the text.
Because Piram appears in only one verse, his role is brief and functional within the larger story of Israel’s entry into Canaan. His mention helps establish the geopolitical landscape of the time, showing the organized opposition faced by the Israelites. The name itself offers a glimpse into the linguistic diversity of the region, blending Hebrew recording with local Amorite identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about the kings who gathered to oppose Israel in Joshua 10, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge. Piram, king of Jarmuth, stands as one face among many in that coalition. His name, likely meaning 'like a wild ass,' hints at a fierce or untamed nature, yet his story ends quickly in the text. This reminds us that even the most formidable opposition is temporary and subject to God's sovereign plan.
For your own life, this brief mention offers comfort. You may face situations where forces seem aligned against you, much like the five kings who joined together. Yet Scripture shows that these alliances crumble when they stand against God's purposes. You are not fighting alone; the same God who guided Israel through such conflicts is present with you today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Piram1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פִּרְאָ֨ם1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 10:3
Therefore Adoni-Zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying,
This verse lists Piram as part of a political alliance, showing how local rulers united for mutual defense against Israel's advance.