פָּרַד (pa.rad)
pa.rad
to separate
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb parad describes the act of separating or dividing, often with a sense of breaking apart or scattering. Its basic meaning involves creating a distinction between things that were previously together. This can refer to physical separation, such as the division of waters in Genesis 2:10, or the dispersal of people and nations as seen in Genesis 10. The word carries a forceful quality, suggesting a decisive break rather than a gentle parting.
A notable nuance appears in Proverbs 18:1, where the Niphal form describes someone who separates themselves from others. This usage portrays a person who isolates themselves for selfish reasons, seeking their own desires above community. The text suggests that such isolation often precedes conflict or foolishness, highlighting the social cost of deliberate division.
The root conveys a wide range of applications, from the splitting of joints in Job 41:17 to the parting of Elijah’s cloak in 2 Kings 2:11. Translators render it variously as divide, separate, scatter, or disperse depending on context. The consistent thread is the creation of distinct boundaries, whether between lands, people, or ideas.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for 'separate' in Hebrew carries a sense of decisive division, whether it is God creating distinct boundaries between nations or friends drifting apart due to gossip. In daily life, we often experience this as a natural part of growth and change. Sometimes separation brings relief, like Abram letting Lot choose his own path so both could thrive. Other times, it feels like loss, such as when close friends are divided by repeated conflict.
Yet Scripture reminds us that not all division is negative. God Himself separates light from darkness and establishes boundaries for order. When we face separation in our relationships or circumstances, we can trust that He remains present even in the distance. The call to unity is balanced with the reality that some separations are necessary for peace and justice.
Ultimately, this word invites us to reflect on how we handle partings. Do we seek reconciliation where possible, or do we allow pride to create unnecessary walls? By looking to God’s wisdom, we can navigate these moments with grace, knowing that He holds all things together even when human bonds are stretched.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they separated2×
- and/ they separated2×
- [is] separating2×
- when/ separated/ he1×
- they will separate1×
- they were separated1×
- they go apart1×
- they are scattered1×
- separated1×
- separate1×
- it will separate1×
- it separates1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַפְרִ֥יד2×
- נִפְרָ֣ד1×
- נִפְרָ֑דוּ1×
- נִפְרָ֑ד1×
- נִפְרְד֧וּ1×
- נִפְרְד֞וּ1×
- יַפְרִֽיד\׃1×
- יַפְרִ֖יד1×
- יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ\׃1×
- יִפָּרֵֽד\׃1×
- יִפָּרֵ֔ד1×
- יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 13:11
So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one another.
This verse shows the practical outcome of separation, as Lot’s choice leads to a physical parting from Abram that changes their respective paths.
-
Proverbs 18:1
A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment.
Here the Niphal form highlights how self-imposed isolation often stems from selfishness rather than wisdom, warning against withdrawing from community.
-
Proverbs 17:9
He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
The text identifies gossip as a powerful force that can separate even the closest friends, contrasting it with the love that covers offenses.
-
Genesis 25:23
Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”
God’s prophecy of two nations being separated from one womb illustrates how divine purpose can establish boundaries that shape history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word parad mean?
How is separation viewed in Proverbs?
Does God ever separate people?
What is the difference between natural separation and harmful division?
Every Occurrence (21 verses across 10 books)
Genesis 8 verses
A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers.
Genesis 10:5Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in…
Genesis 10:32These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from…
Genesis 13:9Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the…
Genesis 13:11So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one another.
Genesis 13:14Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are,…
Genesis 25:23Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be…
Genesis 30:40Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He…