Lexical Summary
paras: To spread, stretch out, break in pieces
Original Word: פָרַס
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: parac
Pronunciation: pah-ras
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-ras')
KJV: deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear
NASB: divide, divides, break, breaks, hoofs
Word Origin: [a primitive root]
1. to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear
A primitive root; to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute -- deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto break in two, divide
NASB Translationbreak (1), breaks (1), divide (8), divides (4), hoofs (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[, erroneous Nö
ZA i, 417]
(Late Hebrew in derived forms; Assyrian parâsu, divide, hinder; Arabic 👁 Image
break neck, etc.; Syriac 👁 Image
hoof, (see below); compare NöZA i.417 f.); —
Perfect3plural Micah 3:3 they have broken up bones, as in kettle (? read Imperfect Nöi.c.); Infinitive abs. Isaiah 58:7 a breaking for the hungry thy bread, so Imperfect3masculine plural Jeremiah 16:7 ( omitted; but read Gie, compare [in part] Valgate Gf); Participle Lamentations 4:4 (accusative omitted).
Perfect3feminine singular Leviticus 11:6, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular Leviticus 11:5; Participle Leviticus 11:4 +, Leviticus 11:3 +, etc.; —
with accusative divide hoof, i.e. have divided hoof (> denominative have hoofs, Deuteronomy 14:6,7,8 and "" Leviticus 11:3,4,5,6,7, so also Leviticus 11:26; Deuteronomy 14:7 = Leviticus 11:4 (H).
participle absolute denominative Psalm 69:32 having hoofs (+ ).
[] (see Biblical Hebrew ); —
(WCG224) Perfect3feminine singular Daniel 5:28.
Topical Lexicon
Summary of Biblical Usage The root conveyed by פָרַס (Strong’s 6536) centers on the act of parting, splitting, or breaking. In the Torah it describes the physical division of an animal’s hoof; in the Writings and Prophets it pictures the breaking or sharing of bread and the ritual dismembering of sacrificial animals. Each context reflects divine instruction about separation from impurity, devotion in worship, and compassion toward others.
Instruction in Dietary Laws (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14)
Fourteen of the occurrences (counting repetitions) appear in the canonical lists that distinguish clean and unclean land animals. The phrase “divides the hoof” establishes an outward sign of suitability for Israel’s diet, joined with the inward activity of chewing the cud. A creature that both “parts the hoof” and “chews the cud” embodies external and internal conformity to God’s standards—an object lesson in holistic holiness. The Hebrews’ daily meals thus reminded them that fellowship with the LORD requires separation from what is unclean and wholehearted internal appropriation of His word (cf. Psalm 1:2).
Sacrificial Imagery and Worship (Psalm 69:31)
David declares, “This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves” (Psalm 69:31). The participle related to פָרַס evokes the parted hooves of a mature animal suitable for burnt offering (Leviticus 1:3-9). The psalmist affirms that heartfelt praise surpasses even flawless sacrificial beasts, yet he couches that praise in the vocabulary of sacrificial precision, showing continuity between true worship and divinely prescribed ritual.
Social Compassion: Sharing Bread (Isaiah 58:7; Jeremiah 16:7)
Isaiah’s prophetic fast calls God’s people “to share your bread with the hungry” (Isaiah 58:7). Jeremiah laments that no one will “break bread for the mourner” (Jeremiah 16:7). In both passages פָרַס depicts hospitality expressed through literal bread broken into portions. The same verb that once distinguished animals for consumption now commands believers to divide their own sustenance in merciful solidarity with the afflicted. Social righteousness thus mirrors cultic purity.
Theology of Separation and Wholeness
Whether splitting a hoof or sharing a loaf, פָרַס underscores purposeful division that produces greater wholeness:
• Separation from contamination (dietary law) safeguards covenant identity.
• Separation of sacrificial parts (worship) signifies entire consecration to God.
• Separation of personal resources (charity) manifests covenant love for neighbor.
Together these themes anticipate the New Covenant call to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and to “distribute to the needs of the saints” (Romans 12:13).
Christological and New Testament Resonances
The Gospel narratives repeatedly note Jesus “took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them” (John 6:11), an echo of פָרַס in action if not in Hebrew wording. At the Last Supper He “took bread, and after giving thanks He broke it” (Matthew 26:26). The self-giving Messiah embodies the principle that true holiness and true love are inseparable. He is both the perfect clean sacrifice and the Bread of Life shared for many.
Practical Ministry Implications
1. Diet and discernment: Teach believers to evaluate all cultural intake—media, relationships, ideologies—by Scripture’s standard of purity.
2. Worship and whole-heartedness: Encourage praise that springs from obedience rather than empty ritual, remembering that God delights in integrity over mere form.
3. Hospitality and healing: Mobilize congregations to literal table fellowship—breaking bread with the hungry, grieving, or marginalized as a visible sign of Christ’s body given for them.
Homiletical and Pastoral Suggestions
• Sermon series “Split Hooves and Split Loaves” can trace the motif from Leviticus to the Lord’s Supper.
• Family devotions at mealtime may recall Deuteronomy 14, leading to prayers for personal purity and opportunities to share food with those in need.
• Counseling grieving families can incorporate Jeremiah 16:7, organizing church members to bring meals as tangible comfort.
Key References
Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:5-7; Leviticus 11:26
Deuteronomy 14:6-8
Psalm 69:31
Isaiah 58:7
Jeremiah 16:7
Forms and Transliterations
הִפְרִ֑יסָה הִפְרִ֔יסוּ הפריסה הפריסו וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֖י וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֥י וממפריסי יִפְרְס֥וּ יַפְרִ֑יס יפריס יפרסו מַפְרִ֔יס מַפְרִ֨יס מַפְרִֽיס׃ מַפְרֶ֣סֶת מַפְרֶ֨סֶת מפריס מפריס׃ מפרסת פָרֹ֤ס פרס faRos hifRisah hifRisu hip̄·rî·sāh hip̄·rî·sū hip̄rîsāh hip̄rîsū mafReset mafRis map̄·re·seṯ map̄·rîs map̄reseṯ map̄rîs p̄ā·rōs p̄ārōs ū·mim·map̄·rî·sê umimafriSei ūmimmap̄rîsê yafRis yap̄·rîs yap̄rîs yifreSu yip̄·rə·sū yip̄rəsū
Links
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