6545. pera
Lexical Summary
pera: locks

Original Word: פֶרַע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: pera`
Pronunciation: peh-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-rah)
KJV: locks
NASB: locks
Word Origin: [from H6544 (פָּרַע - To let go)]

1. the hair (as dishevelled)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
locks

From para'; the hair (as dishevelled) -- locks.

see HEBREW para'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from 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.”
2. Ezekiel 44:20 – In the future‐temple vision regulating priests: “They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long; they are to keep their hair carefully trimmed.”

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.
2. Moderation: Ezekiel’s directive guards against ostentation. Holiness is not self‐display but humble service.
3. Covenant Memory: The lengthening hair of a Nazirite counted the days of his vow, teaching that holy commitments have measurable duration and should be completed faithfully (compare Acts 18:18; 21:23-26).

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.
• Different roles require different expressions of devotion. What is commendable for the Nazirite (unshorn hair) would be disobedience for the priest. Congregational leaders today likewise discern between personal disciplines and corporate responsibilities (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
• Vows are serious. A Nazirite who defiled his separation had to reset the count and bring sacrifices (Numbers 6:9-12). Covenantal integrity remains essential for modern discipleship (Matthew 5:37).

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.
2. Embrace both separation and engagement. Like Nazirites, Christians are called to be distinct; like priests, they must remain accessible servants in the midst of the people (John 17:15-18).
3. Finish what you start. The Nazirite’s hair grew until the vow’s completion, when it was shorn and offered (Numbers 6:18). Likewise, “run in such a way as to take the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

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 GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman'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
HEB: לֹ֣א יְגַלֵּ֔חוּ וּפֶ֖רַע לֹ֣א יְשַׁלֵּ֑חוּ
NAS: their heads, yet they shall not let their locks grow long;
KJV: their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long;
INT: shall not shave their locks not grow

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6545
2 Occurrences


pe·ra‘ — 1 Occ.
ū·p̄e·ra‘ — 1 Occ.

6544b
Top of Page
Top of Page