Original Word: פַעֲרַי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Pa`aray
Pronunciation: pah-ah-RAH-ee
Phonetic Spelling: (pah-ar-ah'-ee)
KJV: Paarai
NASB: Paarai
Word Origin: [from H6473 (פָּעַר - opened)]

1. yawning
2. Paarai, an Israelite

Paarai

From pa'ar; yawning; Paarai, an Israelite -- Paarai.

see HEBREW pa'ar

Word Origin
from paar
Definition
one of David's heroes
NASB Translation
Paarai (1).

מַּעֲרַי proper name, masculine 2 Samuel 23:35 (compare Phoenician proper name, masculine פער) = נַעֲרַי q. v.

Biblical Context

Pa'arai surfaces in the roster of David’s elite warriors: “Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite” (2 Samuel 23:35). The passage tallies men whose valor secured the king’s reign and Israel’s borders during the formative years of the united monarchy.

Name Variations and Textual Notes

The parallel list in 1 Chronicles 11:37 reads “Naarai son of Ezbai.” The slight consonantal shift is commonly understood as a copyist or dialectal variation, not a contradiction. Together the two texts supply a fuller portrait of a single historical figure and demonstrate the complementary accuracy of Samuel and Chronicles.

Role among David’s Mighty Men

The “Thirty” formed an inner corps that led field units, executed specialized missions, and protected the king. Although Pa'arai’s particular exploits remain unrecorded, being named among these champions places him in the highest echelon of Israel’s military leadership, alongside men like Benaiah and Abishai.

Geographical Association

“The Arbite” ties Pa'arai to the town of Arab in Judah’s hill country (Joshua 15:52). Arab lay near terrain where David once sought refuge from Saul, suggesting that men from the region later rallied to the Lord’s anointed. Pa'arai thus represents the steadfast support David received from his tribal kin.

Historical and Ministry Significance

1. Loyalty to the Davidic Covenant: By standing with David, Pa'arai endorsed the divine promise that the Messiah would arise from David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12–16).
2. Quiet Faithfulness: Scripture immortalizes Pa'arai’s name despite the absence of detailed exploits, showing that God honors even hidden service (Hebrews 6:10).
3. Corporate Victory: His inclusion stresses that kingdom triumphs result from collective obedience; every soldier contributes to the larger divine mission.

Christological Foreshadowing

David’s band anticipates the company of believers who share in Christ’s victories (Revelation 19:14). Pa'arai’s steadfast devotion to Israel’s king prefigures the allegiance Christ expects from His disciples amidst spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10–17).

Lessons for Believers Today

• Valor is measured by faithfulness rather than fame.
• God recruits servants from obscure places for pivotal roles.
• The Lord records every act of loyalty for future commendation (Matthew 25:21).

Pa'arai the Arbite, though mentioned only once, bears enduring testimony to courageous loyalty that advances God’s redemptive purposes.

פַּעֲרַ֖י פערי pa‘ăray pa·‘ă·ray paaRaiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts