פַּרְסָה (par.sah)
par.sah
hoof
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun par.sah refers to the hard covering on the foot of an animal, commonly translated as "hoof." In the Old Testament, it appears in fourteen verses, primarily within the legal texts of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, as well as in the prophetic book of Zechariah. The word generally describes the feet of ruminants, such as cattle or sheep, which have a divided structure.
Lexical sources note that the term likely originally denoted a divided hoof, distinguishing these animals from those with solid hooves like horses. This physical distinction carries significant theological weight in the dietary laws, where the presence of a split hoof is one of the two key markers identifying clean animals suitable for consumption. The contrast between the cloven hoof and the solid hoof helps define the boundaries of ritual purity in ancient Israel.
While most occurrences relate to livestock, the word also appears in Zechariah 10:3, where it describes the hooves of horses. Here, the imagery shifts from dietary regulation to military power, illustrating how the same physical trait can symbolize different realities depending on context. Translators consistently render par.sah as "hoof," preserving the concrete, tangible nature of the original term.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word par.sah describes the hard covering on an animal's foot, specifically the divided hoof found in cattle or sheep. In ancient Israel, this physical trait was more than just biology; it served as a clear marker for dietary laws. Animals with split hooves that also chewed the cud were considered clean and suitable for food, while those with solid hooves were not. This distinction helped define the boundaries of ritual purity for the community.
While most biblical references focus on livestock regulations, the imagery occasionally shifts to symbolize strength or judgment. For instance, prophets use the image of bronze hooves to describe God empowering His people to overcome their enemies. The term reminds us that even small physical details in Scripture carry weight, pointing toward order, identity, and divine provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a hoof6×
- and/ a hoof4×
- hooves2×
- [the] hooves of2×
- <of> the/ hoof2×
- and/ hooves/ your1×
- and/ hooves/ their1×
- <of> a hoof1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַּרְסָ֜ה2×
- פַּרְסָ֗ה2×
- פַּרְסָ֔ה2×
- וּ/פַרְסָה֙2×
- וּ/פַרְסָ֖ה2×
- פַּרְסָ֥ה1×
- פַּרְס֤וֹת1×
- פַּרְס֣וֹת1×
- פְּרָסֹ֔ת1×
- פְרָס֔וֹת1×
- וּ/פַרְסֹתַ֙יִ/ךְ֙1×
- וּ/פַרְסֵי/הֶ֖ן1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 11:3
Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.
This verse establishes the primary criterion for clean animals by linking the split hoof directly to the act of chewing the cud.
-
Exodus 10:26
Our livestock also shall go with us. Not a hoof shall be left behind, for of it we must take to serve Yahweh our God; and we don’t know with what we must serve Yahweh, until we come there.”
Moses uses the phrase 'not a hoof shall be left behind' to emphasize that every single animal was essential for worship, not just the meat or hides.
-
Micah 4:13
Arise and thresh, daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze. You will beat in pieces many peoples. I will devote their gain to Yahweh, and their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.
The prophet envisions God transforming the hoofs of His people into bronze, symbolizing their future strength and victory over opposing nations.