פְּרֻדָה (pe.ru.dah)
pe.ru.dah
grain
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun perudah refers specifically to the grain or seed of a plant. It appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Joel 1:17. In this context, it describes the seeds lying exposed on the ground because the harvest has failed.
This rare word highlights the fragility of agricultural life in ancient Israel. The verse depicts a scene of devastation where the grain is not stored safely but is left open to the elements. By focusing on the seed itself rather than the whole crop, the text emphasizes the loss of future potential and the immediate crisis facing the community.
Translators typically render perudah as "seed" or "grain." Its solitary occurrence makes it a unique marker in Joel’s lament, drawing attention to the specific detail of what has been lost. The word serves as a concrete image for the broader theme of famine and divine judgment presented in the chapter.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word perudah appears only once in Scripture, in Joel 1:17. It refers to the seed or grain lying exposed on the ground, rotting under clods of dirt because the harvest has failed. This image captures a moment of total vulnerability. The seeds meant for future growth are left open to decay, highlighting how fragile human plans can be when nature turns against us.
When life feels barren or uncertain, this verse reminds us that God sees the details of our loss. Even when resources seem wasted or potential seems lost, nothing is hidden from Him. The text does not promise immediate restoration, but it does show a God who notices the smallest losses in our lives. Your struggles are known to Him.
This rare word invites us to bring our specific anxieties to prayer. Whether you face financial worry, health concerns, or seasonal grief, God cares about the 'seeds' of your life too. He is not distant from your pain. You can trust that He holds your future, even when it looks uncertain right now.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] seeds1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְרֻד֗וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Joel 1:17
The seeds rot under their clods. The granaries are laid desolate. The barns are broken down, for the grain has withered.
This verse uses perudah to depict seeds rotting on the ground, emphasizing the total loss of future harvest and the immediacy of famine.