פָּרַק (pa.raq)
pa.raq
to tear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb pa.raq describes a forceful act of tearing away or breaking off. In its most basic sense, it involves separating something from what holds it, whether by physical force or decisive action. The sources note that this word appears in eight verses across the Old Testament, with significant usage in Exodus, Psalms, and Zechariah.
While the literal meaning involves tearing or snatching, the word carries a strong theological weight when applied to God’s actions. It is frequently used to describe deliverance, where God tears His people away from oppression or bondage. For instance, in Exodus 6:6, God promises to redeem Israel by stretching out His arm and delivering them from Egyptian slavery—a powerful image of rescue through forceful intervention rather than passive release.
This verb distinguishes itself from other words for salvation by emphasizing the abruptness and power of the act. It is not a gentle persuasion but a decisive break from captivity. The sources highlight that this imagery resonates throughout Scripture, particularly in contexts where God’s people cry out for help against overwhelming odds. The word captures the dramatic nature of divine rescue, showing God as one who actively breaks chains and snatches His people from danger.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew verb pa.raq paints a vivid picture of forceful separation. It describes tearing something away from what holds it, often by decisive physical action. While we might expect divine rescue to be gentle, this word highlights the abrupt power of God’s intervention. He does not merely suggest freedom; He breaks chains and snatches His people from danger.
This imagery appears in Exodus when God promises to deliver Israel from Egyptian slavery. It is a promise that God will stretch out His arm and tear them away from oppression. When you face overwhelming odds, this word reminds you that God is actively involved in breaking the bonds that hold you captive. He acts with decisive power to bring relief.
In moments of deep distress, like those described in Lamentations, we cry out for someone to deliver us. This verb assures us that God hears such cries. He is not distant but ready to intervene forcefully on behalf of His people. This understanding brings comfort, knowing that no bond is too strong for Him to break.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tear off1×
- tear [it] off from yourselves1×
- he will tear off1×
- and/ you will tear off1×
- and/ they tore off from themselves1×
- and/ he rescued/ us1×
- [was] tearing1×
- [is one who] rescues1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פֹּרֵ֖ק1×
- פָּֽרְקוּ֙1×
- מְפָרֵק֩1×
- יְפָרֵֽק\׃\ \ס1×
- וּ/פָרַקְתָּ֥1×
- וַ/יִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙1×
- וַ/יִּפְרְקֵ֥/נוּ1×
- הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 32:2
Aaron said to them, “Take off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them to me.”
This verse uses the word in its literal sense of taking off golden rings, showing the physical act of removal that parallels spiritual deliverance.
-
I Kings 19:11
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before Yahweh.” Behold, Yahweh passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before Yahweh; but Yahweh was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake; but Yahweh was not in the earthquake.
Here the word describes a great wind tearing mountains, illustrating the raw power associated with God's presence and action in nature.
-
Lamentations 5:8
Servants rule over us. There is no one to deliver us out of their hand.
This occurrence highlights the human cry for deliverance from those who rule over us, emphasizing the need for a rescuer to break their hold.