פָּרוּחַ (pa.ru.ach)
pa.ru.ach
Paruah
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 Paruah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded as a proper noun in 1 Kings 4:17. It identifies a man named Paruah who served as an official under King Solomon, specifically overseeing the commissariat for the tribe of Issachar. His sole scriptural mention establishes him as part of the administrative structure that supported the United Monarchy.
Etymologically, the name derives from the Hebrew root meaning "to sprout" or "blossom." This imagery connects the individual to concepts of growth and vitality, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern naming conventions where names reflected hopes for prosperity or natural phenomena. Despite this meaningful origin, the text provides no further biographical details about his life or character beyond his official title.
Because Paruah is mentioned only in a genealogical or administrative list, he serves as a reminder of the many unnamed individuals who facilitated the functioning of biblical societies. His presence in the record highlights the extensive bureaucracy Solomon maintained to manage resources across Israel's tribes, illustrating how ordinary officials contributed to the kingdom's organization without receiving further narrative attention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Paruah comes from a root meaning to sprout or blossom. In 1 Kings 4:17, it identifies Jehoshaphat as the son of Paruah, an official overseeing supplies for the tribe of Issachar during Solomon’s reign. This brief mention shows that God’s work in history involves many people whose names we rarely see.
While we often focus on kings and prophets, this record reminds us that ordinary officials played vital roles in maintaining order and providing for the community. Their faithful service, though quiet, supported the broader mission of the kingdom. We can find comfort in knowing that God values every contribution, whether it is done in the spotlight or behind the scenes.
Just as a plant sprouts from hidden roots, our own small acts of faithfulness may not always be noticed by others, but they are seen by God. This perspective encourages us to serve with integrity in our daily lives, trusting that our efforts matter in His larger plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Paruah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פָּר֖וּחַ1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 4:17
Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar;
This verse identifies Paruah as the father of Jehoshaphat, an official responsible for provisions in Issachar, showing how family lineage was recorded in administrative lists.