פֶּ֫רֶשׁ (pe.resh)
pe.resh
Peresh
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name pe.resh appears only once in Scripture, identifying a man from the tribe of Manasseh listed in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 7:16. He is recorded as the son of Machir and Maacah, and the brother of Gilead, Sheresh, and Hammolecheth. This brief mention places him within the early history of his tribe during the time of Egypt and the wilderness wanderings.
Linguistically, the name translates to "dung" or "excrement." While this meaning might seem unusual for a personal name, it reflects a common pattern in biblical naming where humble or seemingly negative concepts are used, perhaps to express humility before God or to mark a specific family identity. The sources note this etymology directly, linking the word’s literal sense to its use as a proper noun in this single verse.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Peresh appears in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, marking a specific branch of the tribe of Manasseh. While its literal meaning relates to waste or dung, biblical names often carry deeper theological weight beyond their surface definitions. This inclusion reminds us that every individual, regardless of how humble their name might sound, holds a place in God’s recorded history.
Genealogies are not merely lists of ancestors; they show the continuity of God’s covenant people through generations. Peresh is remembered as the son of Machir and brother to Gilead and Sheresh. His presence in Scripture affirms that God values every member of His family, weaving even the most obscure names into the larger story of redemption.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Peresh1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פֶּ֔רֶשׁ1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 7:16
Maacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she named him Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
This verse records Peresh as the son of Machir and Maacah, establishing his place within the Manassite lineage alongside his brother Sheresh.