Lexical Summary pera: locks Original Word: פֶרַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance locks From para'; the hair (as dishevelled) -- locks. see HEBREW para' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition long hair, locks NASB Translation locks (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. מֶּ֫רַע noun [masculine] leader (?); — plural absolute בִּפְרֹעַ מְּרָעוֺת Judges 5:2 for the leading of the leaders (ᵐ5A Be Bu and others, but uncertain; ᵐ5B Symm, compare WeIsrael u. Jüd. Geschichte. (2), 97; Held.(2). 123 and elsewhere, for the loosing of locks [II. מֶּרַע], in vow of war; on these and other views see especially GFMon the passage; conjectures also by LambertRÉJ xxiv. 140 GrimmeZMG 1(1896), 572 CheJQ July 1899, 561 [reading ברכו]); construct מֵראֹשׁ מַּרְעוֺת אוֺיֵב Deuteronomy 32:42 from the head of leaders of the foe ᵐ5 Di Steuern and others; Kn Ke Dr and others from the long-haired heads of the foe. II. מֶּ֫רַע noun [masculine] long hair of head, locks; — ׳פ absolute Ezekiel 44:20; construct שְׂעַר ראֹשׁוֺ ׳פ Numbers 6:5 (P). — Judges 5:2; Deuteronomy 32:42, see I.מֶּרַע above Topical Lexicon Definition and Basic Sense פֶרַע refers to hair that is purposefully left untrimmed or allowed to grow freely. In Scripture it functions as an outward marker of a distinctive relationship to God, signalling either heightened consecration (Numbers 6:5) or, conversely, a disregard for sacerdotal decorum when allowed to grow unchecked (Ezekiel 44:20). Occurrences in the Old Testament 1. Numbers 6:5 – In the Nazirite legislation: “All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head; until the time is fulfilled for which he separates himself to the LORD, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.” Although occurring only twice, the term anchors two contrasting but complementary instructions that illuminate biblical theology of holiness and order. Historical and Cultural Background In the ancient Near East the condition of one’s hair often advertised social status or religious devotion. Egyptian priests shaved their heads. Canaanite cultists sometimes offered their hair as temple sacrifices. Israel’s Torah diverged by allowing, and at times requiring, uncut hair as a voluntary emblem of devotion (Nazirite), while ordinary Levitical priests were kept from extremes in either direction, reflecting the balance between separation and accessibility. Consecration, Separation, and Identity Numbers 6 situates פֶרַע within the Nazirite vow, an elective, time‐bound act of dedication. The uncut hair became an accumulating testimony of days lived under vow. Much like the tassels on an Israelite garment (Numbers 15:38-39), it externalized continual remembrance of covenant loyalty. Ezekiel 44:20, however, limits priestly hair length. Priests were already permanently consecrated; extravagant locks could project personal zeal in a way that distracted from their corporate, representative role. Thus the same physical sign—grown hair—can either affirm or undermine holiness, depending on context and calling. Theological Significance 1. Sanctity: פֶרַע underscores that true sanctity engages the whole person, including the body. The Nazirite’s locks bore silent witness that even commonplace features such as hair are set apart for God. Typological Reflection The Nazirite vow foreshadows the perfect devotion of Jesus Christ. Though never explicitly called a Nazirite, He embodies uninterrupted consecration without temporal limit (Hebrews 7:26-28). The accumulated “locks” of the Nazirite find their fulfillment in His lifelong obedience, culminating not in shaving but in the crucifixion where His entire person is offered. Implications for Worship and Ministry • Symbols matter. Visible tokens—whether baptismal water, communion bread and cup, or a Nazirite’s hair—tutor the community about invisible realities. Practical Application for Believers Today 1. Guard visible testimony. While hair length itself is not mandated, believers are to adorn “the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4) even as outward appearance communicates allegiance. Summary פֶרַע, though a minor term with only two occurrences, richly portrays the tension between radical devotion and ordered service. Whether signaling voluntary, time‐bound separation or regulating daily priestly appearance, it teaches that God cares about both the heart and its outward witness, calling His people to conspicuous yet humble holiness until the final consummation. Forms and Transliterations וּפֶ֖רַע ופרע פֶּ֖רַע פרע pe·ra‘ Pera pera‘ ū·p̄e·ra‘ uFera ūp̄era‘Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 6:5 HEB: יִהְיֶ֔ה גַּדֵּ֥ל פֶּ֖רַע שְׂעַ֥ר רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃ NAS: himself to the LORD; he shall let the locks of hair KJV: he shall be holy, [and] shall let the locks of the hair INT: become grow the locks of hair his head Ezekiel 44:20 2 Occurrences |