פַּרְפַּר (par.par)
par.par
Pharpar
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Pharpar refers to a specific river in the Damascus region, identified with the modern ‘Awaj stream. Its Hebrew name carries the meaning "swift," likely describing the rapid flow of its waters as they descend from the slopes of Mount Hermon toward the lakes near Damascus.
This geographical detail appears only once in Scripture, in 2 Kings 5:12. When the Syrian commander Naaman expresses skepticism about the healing power of the Jordan River, he compares it unfavorably to the rivers of his homeland, specifically naming "Abana and Pharpar." The mention serves to highlight Naaman’s expectation that the most prominent local waters should offer superior healing, underscoring his misunderstanding of the prophet Elisha’s simple instruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Pharpar appears only once in the Bible, tucked into a moment of human frustration. In 2 Kings 5:12, Naaman, a powerful Syrian commander, refuses to follow the prophet Elisha’s simple instruction to wash in the Jordan River. Instead, he lists the rivers of his own homeland—Abana and Pharpar—as superior options. His pride blinds him to the fact that God’s power does not depend on the prestige or purity of the water.
This story reminds us that we often expect God to work through the most impressive or familiar means available to us. We might believe that our own resources, status, or preferred methods are better suited for blessing than the humble paths God chooses. Pharpar represents those high expectations we hold onto when we feel overlooked or misunderstood.
Yet God’s invitation remains steady and accessible. You do not need to find a grand river or achieve perfect standing to receive healing or grace. The strength of God’s word lies in its ability to meet us where we are, often through the simplest and most unexpected channels. Trusting this process brings peace when our own plans fall short.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Pharpar1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/פַרְפַּ֜ר1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 5:12
Aren’t Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.
Naaman uses Pharpar to argue that his local waters are superior, revealing his pride and misunderstanding of God’s power.