פַּרְסִי (par.si)
par.si
Persian
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The adjective parsi designates something or someone as Persian, relating to the Achaemenid Empire that dominated the ancient Near East during the post-exilic period. Derived from the noun for Persia itself, it functions as a gentilic term, identifying origin or nationality rather than describing a specific cultural trait.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Nehemiah 12:22. There, it is used to date the lineage of high priests, marking the span of time from the era of Darius the Persian through to the leadership of Jaddua. The reference anchors the priestly records within the specific political timeline of the Persian administration.
Its singular occurrence highlights how the biblical narrative integrates contemporary geopolitical realities. By naming the Persian rulers and people, the text acknowledges the imperial power under which the Jewish community lived, providing a historical framework for understanding the restoration period without offering theological commentary on the empire itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word parsi simply means "Persian." It appears just once in the Hebrew Bible, in Nehemiah 12:22. Here, it identifies King Darius as a Persian ruler. This single mention places the restoration of Jerusalem’s priesthood within the timeline of the great Achaemenid Empire.
This historical detail reminds us that God’s people lived under foreign rule yet remained faithful to their covenant. The text does not judge the empire but records its existence. It shows how ordinary political realities frame sacred history.
For your faith, this word offers a quiet reassurance. God works through known empires and unknown lives alike. Your own context, however complex, is held within His sovereign plan. You are never outside the scope of His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Persian1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/פָּֽרְסִֽי\׃\ \פ1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 12:22
As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua, there were recorded the heads of fathers’ households; also the priests, in the reign of Darius the Persian.
This verse uses the word to date the high priestly lineage by anchoring it to the reign of Darius the Persian, showing how biblical records integrate contemporary political timelines.