Original Word: פְרִי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: priy
Pronunciation: peh-ree
Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee')
KJV: bough, ((first-)) fruit((-ful)), reward
NASB: fruit, produce, offspring, fruitful, fruits, results, foliage
Word Origin: [from H6509 (פָּרָה - fruitful)]

1. fruit (literally or figuratively)

bough, firsfruit, reward

From parah; fruit (literally or figuratively) -- bough, ((first-)) fruit((-ful)), reward.

see HEBREW parah

Word Origin
from parah
Definition
fruit
NASB Translation
earnings* (1), foliage (1), fruit (84), fruitful (2), fruits (2), fruits* (1), offspring (11), price (1), produce (12), product (1), results (2), reward (1).

מְּרִי₁₁₉ noun masculine^{Hos 14:9} fruit; — absolute ׳פ Hosea 9:16 +, מֶּ֑רִי Jeremiah 12:12 +; especially construct מְּרִי Genesis 4:3 +; suffix מִּרְיִי Proverbs 8:19, מֶּרְיְךָ Hosea 14:9, מִּרְיוֺ Genesis 3:6 +, וּפֶרְיְכֶם Ezekiel 36:8, מְּרִיהֶם Amos 9:14, מִּרְיָם Lamentations 2:20 +, מִּרְיָמוֺ Psalm 21:11, מְּרִיהֶן Jeremiah 29:28, מִּרְיָן Jeremiah 29:5, etc.; —

1 מְּרִי הָאֲרָמָה Genesis 4:3 (J), fruit of the ground, of produce in General, so Deuteronomy 7:13 9t. Deuteronomy + 3t.; הָאֶרֶץ ׳פ Numbers 13:20,26,27 (JE) + 5 t., compare Ezekiel 25:4; fruit of vineyard 2 Kings 19:29 = Isaiah 37:30; Zechariah 8:12; Isaiah 65:21; Songs 8:11,12, in figure Hosea 10:11 5t. + Ezekiel 17:14 (but strike out ᵐ5 Co and others); especially הָעֵץ ׳פ Genesis 3:2,3,6; Exodus 10:15 (all J) + 21 t., also, in figure, Amos 2:9; Hosea 9:16 4t. + Ezekiel 17:23 (read מּאֹרָה branches Co and others); of gardens Amos 9:14; Jeremiah 29:5,28, figurative Songs 4:12,16; עֵץ מְּרִי is fruit-tree Genesis 1:11; Psalm 148:9, compare Ecclesiastes 2:5; אֶרֶץ מְּרִי Psalm 107:34; מְּרִי תְּבוּאָךְ Psalm 107:37 fruit of (consisting in) a crop; Psalm 72:16 is dubious; Che Du interpret as

2; Bae proposes יִפְרוּ.

2 = offspring: fruit of womb (בֶּטֶן) Genesis 30:2; Deuteronomy 7:13 9t., compare Lamentations 2:20; Psalm 21:11; of cattle (בְּהֵמָה) Deuteronomy 28:4,11,51; Deuteronomy 30:9; of serpent, figurative of power conquering Philistia Isaiah 14:29.

3 figurative of fruit of actions, i.e. their consequences: good Isaiah 3:10; Psalm 58:12; bad Hosea 10:13; Proverbs 1:31; Micah 7:13, of thoughts Jeremiah 6:19; of result of removing sin Isaiah 27:9; result of labour (fruit of hands) Proverbs 31:16,31; product of works of ׳י Psalm 104:13, of wisdom Proverbs 8:19; צְדָקָה ׳פ Amos 6:12, compare צַדִּיק ׳פ Proverbs 11:30 (read צֶדֶק ᵐ5 Hi Toy); of doings (i.e. course of life, or character) Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 21:14; Jeremiah 32:19; פִיאִֿישׁ ׳פ i.e. speech Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 13:2; Proverbs 18:20; fruit of arrogance Isaiah 10:12 is arrogant speech; fruit of tongue Proverbs 18:21 #NAME?

I, II. מָּרָה see III. פרר. מֶּרֶה see מֶּרֶא.

[מֵּרָה], מֵּרוֺת Isaiah 2:20 see [ חֲפַרְמָּרָה].

Overview of Biblical Usage

The noun פְרִי (periy) appears roughly one hundred and nineteen times in the Hebrew canon and consistently conveys the idea of that which is produced—whether from soil, body, behavior, or divine blessing. While most occurrences speak of literal produce, the term is equally at home in covenantal, ethical, prophetic, and eschatological settings, where “fruit” becomes a theological shorthand for life under God’s rule.

Agricultural and Dietary Significance

From the opening chapter of Genesis, פְרִי stands at the heart of creation’s provision. “Then God said, ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit according to their kinds.’” (Genesis 1:11). This bounty is immediately assigned to humanity for sustenance (Genesis 1:29). As Israel settles in Canaan, the goodness of the land is measured by its פְרִי (Numbers 13:26–27; Deuteronomy 8:8). Kings celebrate national prosperity through abundant harvests (Psalm 72:16), while prophets threaten famine and blight as covenant sanctions (Habakkuk 3:17).

Liturgical and Covenant Contexts

1. Firstfruits and Tithes: The “first of the fruit of the ground” belongs to the LORD (Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 23:10). Presenting פְרִי at the sanctuary acknowledged God as giver and secured the worshiper’s ongoing blessing (Proverbs 3:9–10).
2. Sabbatical Rhythms: During sabbatical and jubilee years, land and trees were allowed to rest; what the soil produced without cultivation remained “holy,” underscoring God’s ownership of the earth’s fruit (Leviticus 25:1–12).
3. Blessing and Curse Formulas: The covenant lists “the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your land, and the fruit of your livestock” among the promised blessings (Deuteronomy 28:4), while disobedience reverses the list (Deuteronomy 28:18, 33).

Figurative Dimensions

1. Offspring: Children are called “fruit” (Genesis 30:2; Psalm 127:3). This image situates birth within God’s creative abundance.
2. Moral Conduct: “From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is satisfied” (Proverbs 18:20). Speech, choices, and attitudes yield consequences as surely as orchards yield produce (Isaiah 3:10; Jeremiah 17:10).
3. Worship and Praise: Hosea entreats repentant Israel, “Take words of repentance with you and return to the LORD... so we may offer the fruit of our lips.” (Hosea 14:2).
4. Divine Works: Creation itself is called “the fruit of His works” (Psalm 104:13), and the future renewal of Zion will be manifest in her “fruit” (Isaiah 27:6).

The Theology of Blessing and Judgment

Plentiful פְרִי is a barometer of covenant fidelity. When Israel obeys, the land “yields its fruit and the trees of the field yield their produce” (Leviticus 26:4). When hearts harden, locust, sword, or exile devour the harvest (Isaiah 32:12–14; Amos 5:11). The prophets repeatedly link outward barrenness to inward rebellion: “You will plant vineyards and cultivate them, but you will not drink the wine or gather the grapes” (Zephaniah 1:13).

Messianic and Eschatological Hope

In the age to come, creation’s curse is lifted and fruitfulness restored. Isaiah envisions a re-planted Eden where “the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose” (Isaiah 35:1) and Jacob “will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit” (Isaiah 27:6). Ezekiel pictures life-giving trees along the river from the new temple: “Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12). These images anticipate the New Jerusalem of Revelation 22:2, where monthly fruit and eternal leaves heal the nations.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Stewardship: Agricultural texts underpin a theology of creation care and generous giving. Recognizing all produce as God’s gift encourages ethical farming, social justice, and faithful tithing.
• Family and Legacy: Viewing children as “fruit” fosters gratitude and responsibility in parenting (Deuteronomy 30:9).
• Spiritual Formation: Proverbs and prophetic writings press believers to examine the “fruit” of words and deeds (Psalm 1:3; Galatians 5:22-23 echoes this motif in the New Testament).
• Hope in Hardship: When physical or spiritual barrenness looms, scriptural promises of future fruit sustain perseverance (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Key Old Testament References

Genesis 1:11; Genesis 1:29; Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 26:4; Numbers 13:27; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 28:4, 18; Psalm 1:3; Psalm 72:16; Proverbs 18:20; Isaiah 27:6; Jeremiah 17:8; Hosea 14:2; Ezekiel 47:12; Habakkuk 3:17.

בְּפִרְי֖וֹ בִּפְרִ֧י בִּפְרִ֨י בפרי בפריו וְכִפְרִ֖י וּבִפְרִ֣י וּבִפְרִ֥י וּבִפְרִ֧י וּמִפְּרִ֣י וּפְרִ֣י וּפְרִ֤י וּפְרִ֥י וּפְרִ֨י וּפְרִֽי־ וּפְרִי־ וּפִרְי֖וֹ וּפֶרְיְכֶ֥ם ובפרי וכפרי ומפרי ופרי ופרי־ ופריו ופריכם כִּפְרִ֖י כִּפְרִ֥י כפרי לְפִרְי֗וֹ לפריו מִפְּרִ֖י מִפְּרִ֣י מִפְּרִ֥י מִפְּרִ֧י מִפִּרְי֖וֹ מפרי מפריו פְּ֝רִ֗י פְּ֭רִי פְּֽרִי־ פְּרִ֖י פְּרִ֛י פְּרִ֞י פְּרִ֣י פְּרִ֤י פְּרִ֥י פְּרִ֨י פְּרִֽי־ פְּרִי֙ פְּרִי־ פְּרִיהֶֽם׃ פְּרִיהֶֽן׃ פְרִ֖י פְרִ֥י פְרִֽי־ פְרִי־ פִּ֭רְיִי פִּ֭רְיָמוֹ פִּרְי֑וֹ פִּרְי֔וֹ פִּרְי֗וֹ פִּרְי֨וֹ ׀ פִּרְיָ֑הּ פִּרְיָ֔הּ פִּרְיָ֖הּ פִּרְיָ֣הּ פִּרְיָ֣הּ ׀ פִּרְיָֽהּ׃ פִּרְיָֽם׃ פִּרְיָֽן׃ פִּרְיָהּ֙ פִּרְיָם֙ פִּרְיֽוֹ׃ פִּרְיוֹ֙ פִרְי֔וֹ פִרְיֵ֔ךְ פִרְיָֽם׃ פִרְיוֹ֙ פֶ֑רִי פֶ֔רִי פֶּ֔רִי פֶּֽרִי׃ פֶּרְיְךָ֥ פרי פרי־ פרי׃ פריה פריה׃ פריהם׃ פריהן׃ פריו פריו׃ פריי פריך פרים פרים׃ פרימו פרין׃ bə·p̄ir·yōw befirYo bəp̄iryōw bifRi bip̄·rî bip̄rî feri firYam firYech firYo kifRi kip̄·rî kip̄rî lə·p̄ir·yōw lefirYo ləp̄iryōw mip·pə·rî mip·pir·yōw mippeRi mippərî mippirYo mippiryōw pe·rî pə·rî p̄e·rî p̄ə·rî pə·rî- p̄ə·rî- pə·rî·hem pə·rî·hen per·yə·ḵā peRi perî pərî p̄erî p̄ərî pərî- p̄ərî- periHem pərîhem periHen pərîhen peryeCha peryəḵā pir·yā·mōw pir·yāh pir·yām p̄ir·yām pir·yān p̄ir·yêḵ pir·yî pir·yōw p̄ir·yōw pirYah piryāh pirYam piryām p̄iryām piryamo piryāmōw pirYan piryān p̄iryêḵ Piryi piryî pirYo piryōw p̄iryōw ū·ḇip̄·rî ū·mip·pə·rî ū·p̄ə·rî ū·p̄ə·rî- ū·p̄er·yə·ḵem ū·p̄ir·yōw ūḇip̄rî uferi uferyeChem ufirYo umippeRi ūmippərî ūp̄ərî ūp̄ərî- ūp̄eryəḵem ūp̄iryōw uvifRi vechifRi wə·ḵip̄·rî wəḵip̄rîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts