Original Word: פָרַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: parad
Pronunciation: pah-RAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-rad')
KJV: disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder
NASB: separated, separates, scattered, decides, dispersed, divided, go apart
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself)

disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter abroad, separate self, sever self, stretch,

A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate (oneself) -- disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to divide
NASB Translation
decides (1), dispersed (1), divided (1), go apart (1), joint (1), parted (1), parts (1), scattered (2), separate (1), separated (12), separates (3), spread (1).

I. [מָּרַד] verb divide (Late Hebrew id., divide, separate; so Syriac in derived species and derivatives; Arabic be single, sole, also (Dozy) unfold, unroll): —

Qal Passive participle feminine plural מְּרֻדוֺת Ezekiel 1:11 divided, i.e. spread, of wings.

Niph`al Perfect3plural נִפְרְדוּ Genesis 10:5,32, נִפְרָ֑דוּ 2 Samuel 1:23; Imperfect, יִמָּרֵד Genesis 2:10; Proverbs 19:4, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הִמָּ֫רֶד נָא Genesis 13:9; Infinitive construct הִמָּֽרֶדֿ לוֺט Genesis 13:14; Participle נִפְרָד Judges 4:11; Proverbs 18:1, נִמְּרָדִים Nehemiah 4:13; —

1 divide, separate (intransitive), Genesis 2:10 (of river, dividing into branches); of one man separating from another, with מֵעַל Genesis 13:9,11, מֵעִם Genesis 13:14 (all J), from others, מִן Judges 4:11; reciprocal Genesis 25:23 (J; of sons of Rebekah representing nations, with מִמֵּעַיִךְ in construction praegn. [Ges^{§ 119ff}], i.e. divided (hostile) from birth); absolute Proverbs 18:1; of peoples separating from (מִן) parent stock Proverbs 10:5,32 (P).

2 be divided, separated, 2 Samuel 1:23; Nehemiah 4:13; of loss of friendship Proverbs 19:4.

Pi`el Imperfect3masculine singular יְפָרֵ֑דוּ Hosea 4:14 make a separation, i.e. go apart (in company with [עִם] harlots, compare RS^{Semitic i. 436, 2nd ed. 455}).

Pu`al Participle divided, עַםמְ֗֗֗פֻזָּר וּמְפֹרָד בֵּין הָעַמִּים Esther 3:8

Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular הִפְרִיד Genesis 30:40; Imperfect יַפְרִיד Ruth 1:17; Proverbs 18:18, 3masculine plural וַיַּפְרִדוּ 2 Kings 2:11; Infinitive construct suffix בְּהַפְרִידוֺ Deuteronomy 32:8; Participle מַפְרִיד Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 17:9; —

1 divide, separate Genesis 30:40 (JE) Deuteronomy 32:8, of separating friends Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 17:9.

2 make a division, separation, between (בֵּין), 2 Kings 2:11; Ruth 1:17; of parting disputants (with בֵּין) Proverbs 18:18.

Hithpa`el Perfect3plural וְהִתְמָּֽרְדוּ Psalm 22:15; Imperfect יִתְמָּֽרְדוּ Psalm 92:10, רָ֑דוּ- Job 4:11; Job 41:9; — be divided, separated, from each other; of scales of crocodile (c. negative) Job 41:9, of bones, = be loosened at the joint, Psalm 22:15 (figurative of helplessness); = be dispersed Job 4:11; Psalm 92:10.

Overview of the Motif

The verb פָרַד portrays deliberate separation, scattering, or division. It functions across narrative, legal, poetic, and prophetic texts to describe physical parting, ethnic distribution, covenantal distinction, and relational rupture. Because Scripture also records God’s redemptive purpose to gather what has been scattered, every occurrence of פָרַד ultimately serves the larger biblical movement from separation to reconciliation.

Creation and the Ordered World

Genesis introduces פָרַד within the orderly beauty of Eden: “A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was divided into four headwaters” (Genesis 2:10). The first “separation” is constructive, not destructive: God divides waters so that life may be sustained. This paradigm undergirds later uses—separation rightly administered furthers God’s purposes.

Distribution of the Nations

After the flood, פָרַד anchors the ethnological table:

• “From these, the maritime peoples separated into their territories” (Genesis 10:5).
• “From these the nations of the earth separated after the flood” (Genesis 10:32).
• “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples” (Deuteronomy 32:8).

The scattering is neither random nor hostile; it is sovereign placement. The passage in Deuteronomy ties the divisions to covenant history (“according to the number of the sons of Israel”), affirming that geography and ethnicity are under divine governance.

Family and Relational Rift

Human sin soon distorts separation. The quarrel between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen leads Abram to say, “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me” (Genesis 13:9). Lot chooses the fertile Jordan plain, and the family divide foreshadows the later destinies of their descendants. Likewise, Rebekah’s unborn twins are told, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated” (Genesis 25:23). פָרַד here predicts centuries of tension between Israel and Edom.

Priestly and Missional Set-Apartness

Not all division is negative. “Aaron was set apart to consecrate the most holy things” (1 Chronicles 23:13). Numbers 16:9 reminds the Levites that privilege carries responsibility: “Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself…?” Separation for ministry embodies holiness—distinct for service, yet mediating blessing to all.

Discipline, Judgment, and Protection

When Korah rebels, Moses commands, “Depart now from the tents of these wicked men” (Numbers 16:26). Separation becomes a protective act, sparing the faithful from impending judgment. Similarly, a chariot of fire “separated the two of them” (2 Kings 2:11), marking Elijah’s translation and Elisha’s commissioning; the divide clarifies succession and preserves prophetic integrity.

Social and Covenant Purity after Exile

Post-exilic reforms apply פָרַד to communal life: “When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent” (Nehemiah 13:3). The measure sought to safeguard covenant identity amid pervasive syncretism. While later prophetic vision widens inclusion to all who join themselves to the Lord, the principle of guarding worship remains.

Poetic Imagery of Rupture

David laments, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint” (Psalm 22:14). “Out of joint” renders פָרַד, capturing physical and relational dislocation that reaches its climax in the Messiah’s suffering. Job likewise asks, “Who cuts a channel for the flood or a path for the thunderbolt?” (Job 38:25), crediting God with even the storm’s separations.

Wisdom on Strife and Community

Proverbs links separation to self-interest: “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1, rendering reflects פָרַד’s thematic field). Scripture thus warns that voluntary isolation can feed folly.

Prophetic Hope of Reversal

Though Ezekiel foretells scattering, he also promises, “I will search for My sheep and deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered” (Ezekiel 34:12). The gospel reveals the ultimate answer: Christ “has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). Every painful פָרַד in the Old Testament prepares for the Good Shepherd who gathers.

Ministry Significance

1. Holiness: Believers, like the priests, are “set apart” for God’s service (1 Peter 2:9).
2. Unity: Pastoral work embraces reconciliation, countering sinful separation in families, congregations, and ethnic groups.
3. Discernment: Wise leadership still calls for protective separation from corrupting influences (2 Corinthians 6:17) without surrendering the mission to the nations.
4. Hope: Scattered prodigals can be gathered; God specializes in healing every destructive פָרַד.

Key References

Genesis 2:10; 10:5, 10:32; 13:9-11; 25:23; 30:40; 42:24

Numbers 16:9, 16:26

Deuteronomy 32:8

2 Kings 2:11

1 Chronicles 23:13

Nehemiah 13:3

Job 38:25

Psalm 22:14

Proverbs 18:1

Across its twenty-six appearances, פָרַד traces God’s sovereignty over division and His redemptive aim to gather a holy people unto Himself.

בְּהַפְרִיד֖וֹ בהפרידו הִפְרִ֣יד הִפָּ֥רֶד הִפָּֽרֶד־ הפרד הפרד־ הפריד וְהִתְפָּֽרְד֗וּ וַיִּפָּ֣רְד֔וּ וַיַּפְרִ֖דוּ וּמְפֹרָד֙ והתפרדו ויפרדו ומפרד יְפָרֵ֔דוּ יִ֝תְפָּרְד֗וּ יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ יִפָּרֵ֔ד יִפָּרֵֽד׃ יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ׃ יַפְרִ֖יד יַפְרִֽיד׃ יפרד יפרד׃ יפרדו יפריד יפריד׃ יתפרדו יתפרדו׃ מַפְרִ֥יד מפריד נִפְרְד֞וּ נִפְרְד֧וּ נִפְרָ֑ד נִפְרָ֑דוּ נִפְרָ֣ד נִפְרָדִים֙ נפרד נפרדו נפרדים פְּרֻד֖וֹת פרדות bə·hap̄·rî·ḏōw behafriDo bəhap̄rîḏōw hifRid hip·pā·reḏ hip·pā·reḏ- hip̄·rîḏ hipPared hippāreḏ hippāreḏ- hip̄rîḏ mafRid map̄·rîḏ map̄rîḏ nifRad nifraDim nifRadu nifreDu nip̄·rā·ḏîm nip̄·rā·ḏū nip̄·rāḏ nip̄·rə·ḏū nip̄rāḏ nip̄rāḏîm nip̄rāḏū nip̄rəḏū pə·ru·ḏō·wṯ peruDot pəruḏōwṯ ū·mə·p̄ō·rāḏ umefoRad ūməp̄ōrāḏ vaiyafRidu vaiyipPareDu vehitpareDu way·yap̄·ri·ḏū way·yip·pā·rə·ḏū wayyap̄riḏū wayyippārəḏū wə·hiṯ·pā·rə·ḏū wəhiṯpārəḏū yafRid yap̄·rîḏ yap̄rîḏ yə·p̄ā·rê·ḏū yefaRedu yəp̄ārêḏū yip·pā·rê·ḏū yip·pā·rêḏ yippaRed yippārêḏ yippaRedu yippārêḏū yiṯ·pā·rā·ḏū yiṯ·pā·rə·ḏū yitpaRadu yiṯpārāḏū yitpareDu yiṯpārəḏūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts