פָּרַץ (pa.rats)
pa.rats
to break through
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 42 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb parats describes the forceful act of breaking through a barrier, whether that is a physical wall or a natural limit. Its core sense involves violent expansion or destruction, used literally when armies breach city fortifications as seen in 2 Kings 14:13, or figuratively when boundaries are exceeded. The word captures a sudden, powerful movement from confinement into openness.
Interestingly, parats also applies to growth and abundance that bursts past expected limits. In Genesis 30:43, it describes Jacob’s flocks increasing rapidly, spreading abroad beyond normal expectations. This dual usage links physical force with prolific expansion, suggesting that true increase often requires breaking existing constraints. Translators render it variously as "break," "breach," or "increase" depending on whether the context emphasizes destruction or growth.
The word’s etymology connects to ideas of spreading and scattering, linking it to concepts of dispersion and liberation. When slaves break away in 1 Samuel 25:10, they use this same root that describes walls falling down. This consistency shows how ancient Hebrew speakers viewed both physical barriers and social constraints as things meant to be broken through.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word parats describes a forceful breaking through of barriers. It captures moments when walls fall or limits are shattered, whether by human armies or divine action. In ancient Israel, this term marked both military breaches and sudden expansions of life and resources.
For your faith, this word offers comfort in seasons of confinement. When circumstances feel restrictive, parats reminds us that God can break through barriers to bring freedom or increase. Like the flocks that spread beyond expectation in Genesis 30:43, His blessings often exceed our calculated limits. The same power that breaches city walls also opens paths where none seemed possible.
This dual nature invites trust in both deliverance and abundance. Whether facing opposition or seeking growth, parats assures us that no barrier is permanent before God’s purpose. It encourages believers to expect breakthroughs, knowing that confinement is not the final word.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 42 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he urged3×
- he should break out2×
- he had broken out2×
- and/ he made a breach2×
- you will spread out1×
- you have made a breach1×
- who/ break away1×
- which/ was broken down1×
- to/ break down1×
- they will increase1×
- they will burst open1×
- they will break through1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פָּרַ֨ץ3×
- וַ/יִּפְרָץ\־3×
- וַ/יִּפְרֹ֞ץ2×
- תִּפְרֹ֑צִי1×
- פָּרֹ֥ץ1×
- פָּרָ֕צוּ1×
- פָּרַ֧ץ1×
- פָּרַ֥ץ1×
- פָּרַ֤ץ1×
- פָּרַ֖צְתָּ1×
- פָּרְצ֖וּ1×
- פָּֽרְצוּ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 30:43
The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
This verse shows parats describing Jacob's flocks increasing beyond normal limits, highlighting God's power to bring abundant growth.
-
Genesis 38:29
As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?” Therefore his name was called Perez.
The name Perez means 'breach,' linking the word to a sudden emergence and establishing its connection to unexpected outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word parats mean?
How is parats different from other words for breaking?
Where does parats appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (42 verses across 15 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the…
Genesis 30:30For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Yahweh has blessed you wherever I…
Genesis 30:43The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.
Genesis 38:29As he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out, and she said, “Why have you made a breach for yourself?”…