פְּרָזִי (pe.ra.zi)
pe.ra.zi
villager
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun perazi refers to a resident of an open country or village, distinct from those living within fortified city walls. It describes a rural dweller or hamlet-dweller who inhabits the unenclosed regions surrounding ancient settlements. This term highlights a geographical and social distinction between the settled population in protected towns and those scattered across the countryside.
Its usage appears sparingly in Scripture, with occurrences found in books like Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel, and Esther. In these contexts, the word often underscores the difference between urban centers and their surrounding hinterlands. The sources indicate that it can also refer to the open region itself, suggesting a connection between the people and the unfortified land they inhabit.
This distinction carries practical weight in ancient Israelite society, where city walls provided security against raiders. Those identified as perazi lived outside this immediate protection, relying on different social structures or proximity to nearby towns for safety. The term thus captures a specific aspect of daily life and community organization in the biblical world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word perazi describes those who live outside fortified walls, in open villages or countryside. In ancient Israel, this distinction was practical: city dwellers had protection from raiders, while villagers relied on community and proximity to towns for safety. This term reminds us that God’s care extends beyond the secure centers of power to every corner of the land.
When we read about these rural communities, we see that faithfulness is not confined to urban religious centers. The Jews in Esther 9:19 celebrated Purim even in unwalled towns, showing that joy and obedience are possible anywhere God’s people gather. Your own setting—whether busy city or quiet village—does not limit your ability to experience God’s presence.
This word invites us to value every community, regardless of its size or security. It challenges us to look beyond visible strength and recognize the dignity in those who live simply, trusting God day by day. May you find peace in knowing that no place is too remote for divine attention.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ hamlet-dweller[s]2×
- the/ rural villagers1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/פְּרָזִ֗ים1×
- הַ/פְּרָזִ֖י1×
- הַ/פְּרָזִ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 3:5
All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, in addition to a great many villages without walls.
This verse contrasts fortified cities with villages without walls, highlighting the social and geographical distinction central to the word's meaning.
-
I Samuel 6:18
and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even to the great stone on which they set down Yahweh’s ark. That stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh.
The inclusion of country villages alongside fortified cities in the list of Philistine settlements shows that perazi communities were significant enough to be accounted for in religious restitution.
-
Esther 9:19
Therefore the Jews of the villages, who live in the unwalled towns, make the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a holiday, and a day of sending presents of food to one another.
This passage demonstrates that Jews living in unwalled towns actively participated in celebrating Purim, affirming their equal standing in faith and joy despite lacking city protections.