Lexical Summary
parsah: Hoof
Original Word: פַרְסָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: parcah
Pronunciation: par-saw'
Phonetic Spelling: (par-saw')
KJV: claw, (cloven-)footed, hoof
NASB: hoof, hoofs
Word Origin: [feminine of H6538 (פֶּרֶס - vulture)]
1. a claw or split hoof
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
claw, cloven-footed, hoof
Feminine of perec; a claw or split hoof -- claw, (cloven-)footed, hoof.
see HEBREW perec
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
parasDefinitiona hoof
NASB Translationhoof (13), hoofs (7).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
21 (probably originally
divided hoof; compare Nö
ZA 1 (1886), 417, later of any hoof (see
below), even Aramaic of foot-sole of dove Onk Genesis 8:9, and of men (Jeremiah 47:3 +), compare Nöl.c.); — absolute Exodus 10:26 +; plural Deuteronomy 14:6; Leviticus 11:3; construct id. Isaiah 5:23 +; suffix Micah 4:13, Zechariah 11:16; —
Exodus 10:26 (E; meton. for animal itself), Micah 4:13 (figurative of Zion), Ezekiel 32:13; Zechariah 11:16 (figurative); especially () Deuteronomy 14:6 = Leviticus 11:3,7, and with
(q. v.) Leviticus 11:3 10t. Leviticus 11 Deuteronomy 14..
(not divided) Isaiah 5:28; Ezekiel 26:11 (so ), Jeremiah 47:3.
I. (√ of following; compare perhaps Arabic 👁 Image
overtop, figurative excel; 👁 Image
noble, eminent man; Sabean be lofty OsZMG xix (1865), 178 f., highest part SabDenkm90, figurative best, DHMib., 32 f. CISiv. No. 2. 1. 13 especially of offering DHMZMG xxxvii (1883), 341 ff. (compare Arabic 👁 Image
firstling offered to gods)).
Topical Lexicon
Physical Definition and Function פַרְסָה denotes the hard keratinous hoof or claw of quadrupeds. Scripture consistently presents it as the point of contact between land animals and the ground, the organ that bears weight, provides speed, and leaves tracks. Whether on domesticated livestock or warhorses, the hoof is the Bible’s primary term for the foot of split-hoofed creatures.
Cultic and Dietary Regulations
In the dietary legislation of Leviticus 11:3-8 and Deuteronomy 14:6-8, the hoof becomes an objective marker for distinguishing animals that may be eaten from those that are unclean. “You may eat any animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud” (Deuteronomy 14:6). The requirement that the hoof be “completely divided” underscores divine concern for wholeness and separation. Israel’s obedience to these regulations cultivated daily discipline and reminded the nation that holiness permeates even mundane choices.
Symbolism of Separation and Discernment
Because the cleft hoof is coupled with chewing the cud, the rabbis later saw in it a dual picture of external and internal purity. For Christian readers, the twofold test supplies a timeless principle: true holiness involves outward conformity to God’s revealed will and inward meditation on His word. The parted hoof touching both sides of the path illustrates spiritual discernment—avoiding extremes while walking faithfully.
Usage in Prophetic Warnings and Judgments
Prophetic texts employ פַרְסָה to convey impending devastation. Isaiah describes enemy horses whose “hooves are like flint” (Isaiah 5:28), emphasizing unstoppable advance. Jeremiah mourns the thunder of war: “At the sound of the pounding hooves of his stallions …” (Jeremiah 47:3). Ezekiel 26:11 depicts Babylonian cavalry trampling Tyre: “With the hooves of his horses he will trample all your streets.” The hoof, therefore, becomes an instrument of divine judgment against nations that oppose God’s purposes.
Military Imagery
Ancient Near Eastern armies prized well-shod horses, sometimes burnishing hooves with iron (cf. Isaiah 5:28). Strong hooves meant speed, endurance, and terror on the battlefield. This martial nuance supports Micah 4:13, where Zion is promised victory: “Arise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will make your horns iron and your hooves bronze.” Here the hoof symbolizes strength imparted by God to execute justice.
Pastoral and Ministry Applications
Exodus 10:26 records Moses’ insistence that “not a hoof will remain behind” when Israel departs Egypt. The phrase underscores total consecration—every asset belongs to the Lord. For ministry today, the verse urges complete surrender; nothing may be withheld from God’s redemptive purposes.
Levitical lists help believers teach on discernment regarding cultural consumption—evaluating entertainment, habits, and doctrines by scriptural standards. Prophetic hoof imagery warns against complacency and calls leaders to prepare congregations for spiritual warfare.
Messianic and Eschatological Echoes
Zechariah 11:16 speaks of a worthless shepherd who “will tear off their hooves,” picturing exploitation of the flock. In contrast, the Good Shepherd protects every “hoof,” ensuring none is lost (John 10). Micah 4:13 anticipates a future reign where God equips His people with indestructible “bronze” hooves to participate in His final victory. Thus the term subtly foreshadows Christ’s triumphant Kingdom and the believer’s share in it.
Summary of Biblical Occurrences
פַרְסָה appears twenty-one times, clustered in three main contexts:
1. Dietary laws (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14) – defining clean animals.
2. Exodus narrative (Exodus 10:26) – total dedication in redemption.
3. Prophetic and poetic passages (Isaiah 5:28; Jeremiah 47:3; Ezekiel 26:11; 32:13; Micah 4:13; Zechariah 11:16) – imagery of judgment, warfare, and restoration.
Together these occurrences reveal the hoof as a tangible sign of holiness, an agent of judgment, and a promise of divinely empowered victory, reinforcing the cohesive message of Scripture from Torah through Prophets.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּפַרְס֣וֹת בפרסות הַפַּרְסָ֑ה הַפַּרְסָ֖ה הפרסה וּפַרְס֥וֹת וּפַרְסֵיהֶ֖ן וּפַרְסָ֖ה וּפַרְסָה֙ וּפַרְסֹתַ֙יִךְ֙ ופרסה ופרסות ופרסיהן ופרסתיך פְּרָסֹ֔ת פְרָס֔וֹת פַּרְס֣וֹת פַּרְס֤וֹת פַּרְסָ֔ה פַּרְסָ֗ה פַּרְסָ֜ה פַּרְסָ֥ה פרסה פרסות פרסת bə·p̄ar·sō·wṯ befarSot bəp̄arsōwṯ feraSot hap·par·sāh happarSah happarsāh par·sāh par·sō·wṯ parSah parsāh parSot parsōwṯ p̄ə·rā·sō·wṯ pə·rā·sōṯ peraSot pərāsōṯ p̄ərāsōwṯ ū·p̄ar·sāh ū·p̄ar·sê·hen ū·p̄ar·sō·ṯa·yiḵ ū·p̄ar·sō·wṯ ufarSah ufarseiHen ufarSot ufarsoTayich ūp̄arsāh ūp̄arsêhen ūp̄arsōṯayiḵ ūp̄arsōwṯ
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