Lexical Summary paras: To spread, stretch out, break in pieces Original Word: פָרַס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear A primitive root; to break in pieces, i.e. (usually without violence) to split, distribute -- deal, divide, have hoofs, part, tear. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to break in two, divide NASB Translation break (1), breaks (1), divide (8), divides (4), hoofs (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָּרַס, erroneous מָּרַשׂ NöZA i, 417] verb break in two, divide (Late Hebrew in derived forms; Assyrian parâsu, divide, hinder; Arabic Qal Perfect3plural וּפָֽרְשׂוּ Micah 3:3 they have broken up bones, as in kettle (? read Imperfect וַיִפְרְשׂוּ Nöi.c.); Infinitive abs. מָּרֹס לָרָעֵב לַחְמֶ֑ךָ Isaiah 58:7 a breaking for the hungry thy bread, so Imperfect3masculine plural יִפְרְסוּ לָהֶם Jeremiah 16:7 (לֶחֶם omitted; but read לֶחֶם אֶלאָֿבֵל ׳יִפ Gie, compare [in part] ᵐ5 Valgate Gf); Participle פֹרֵשׂ לֶהֶם Lamentations 4:4 (accusative לֶחֶם omitted). Hiph`il Perfect3feminine singular הִפְרִיסָה Leviticus 11:6, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יַפְרִיס Leviticus 11:5; Participle מַפְרִיס Leviticus 11:4 +, מַפְרֶסֶת Leviticus 11:3 +, etc.; — 1 with accusative מַּרְסָה divide hoof, i.e. have divided hoof (> denominative have hoofs, Deuteronomy 14:6,7,8 and "" Leviticus 11:3,4,5,6,7, so also Leviticus 11:26; מַפְרִיסֵי ׳הַפ Deuteronomy 14:7 = ׳מַפְרִסֵי הַפ Leviticus 11:4 (H). 2 participle absolute denominative Psalm 69:32 having hoofs (+ מַקְרִן). [מְּרַס] verb break in two (see Biblical Hebrew פרס); — Peîl (WCG224) Perfect3feminine singular מְּרִיסַת מַלְכוּתָח Daniel 5:28. Topical Lexicon Summary of Biblical Usage The root conveyed by פָרַס (Strong’s 6536) centers on the act of parting, splitting, or breaking. In the Torah it describes the physical division of an animal’s hoof; in the Writings and Prophets it pictures the breaking or sharing of bread and the ritual dismembering of sacrificial animals. Each context reflects divine instruction about separation from impurity, devotion in worship, and compassion toward others. Instruction in Dietary Laws (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14) Fourteen of the occurrences (counting repetitions) appear in the canonical lists that distinguish clean and unclean land animals. The phrase “divides the hoof” establishes an outward sign of suitability for Israel’s diet, joined with the inward activity of chewing the cud. A creature that both “parts the hoof” and “chews the cud” embodies external and internal conformity to God’s standards—an object lesson in holistic holiness. The Hebrews’ daily meals thus reminded them that fellowship with the LORD requires separation from what is unclean and wholehearted internal appropriation of His word (cf. Psalm 1:2). Sacrificial Imagery and Worship (Psalm 69:31) David declares, “This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with horns and hooves” (Psalm 69:31). The participle related to פָרַס evokes the parted hooves of a mature animal suitable for burnt offering (Leviticus 1:3-9). The psalmist affirms that heartfelt praise surpasses even flawless sacrificial beasts, yet he couches that praise in the vocabulary of sacrificial precision, showing continuity between true worship and divinely prescribed ritual. Social Compassion: Sharing Bread (Isaiah 58:7; Jeremiah 16:7) Isaiah’s prophetic fast calls God’s people “to share your bread with the hungry” (Isaiah 58:7). Jeremiah laments that no one will “break bread for the mourner” (Jeremiah 16:7). In both passages פָרַס depicts hospitality expressed through literal bread broken into portions. The same verb that once distinguished animals for consumption now commands believers to divide their own sustenance in merciful solidarity with the afflicted. Social righteousness thus mirrors cultic purity. Theology of Separation and Wholeness Whether splitting a hoof or sharing a loaf, פָרַס underscores purposeful division that produces greater wholeness: Together these themes anticipate the New Covenant call to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and to “distribute to the needs of the saints” (Romans 12:13). Christological and New Testament Resonances The Gospel narratives repeatedly note Jesus “took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them” (John 6:11), an echo of פָרַס in action if not in Hebrew wording. At the Last Supper He “took bread, and after giving thanks He broke it” (Matthew 26:26). The self-giving Messiah embodies the principle that true holiness and true love are inseparable. He is both the perfect clean sacrifice and the Bread of Life shared for many. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Diet and discernment: Teach believers to evaluate all cultural intake—media, relationships, ideologies—by Scripture’s standard of purity. Homiletical and Pastoral Suggestions • Sermon series “Split Hooves and Split Loaves” can trace the motif from Leviticus to the Lord’s Supper. Key References Leviticus 11:3; Leviticus 11:5-7; Leviticus 11:26 Forms and Transliterations הִפְרִ֑יסָה הִפְרִ֔יסוּ הפריסה הפריסו וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֖י וּמִמַּפְרִיסֵ֥י וממפריסי יִפְרְס֥וּ יַפְרִ֑יס יפריס יפרסו מַפְרִ֔יס מַפְרִ֨יס מַפְרִֽיס׃ מַפְרֶ֣סֶת מַפְרֶ֨סֶת מפריס מפריס׃ מפרסת פָרֹ֤ס פרס faRos hifRisah hifRisu hip̄·rî·sāh hip̄·rî·sū hip̄rîsāh hip̄rîsū mafReset mafRis map̄·re·seṯ map̄·rîs map̄reseṯ map̄rîs p̄ā·rōs p̄ārōs ū·mim·map̄·rî·sê umimafriSei ūmimmap̄rîsê yafRis yap̄·rîs yap̄rîs yifreSu yip̄·rə·sū yip̄rəsūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 11:3 HEB: כֹּ֣ל ׀ מַפְרֶ֣סֶת פַּרְסָ֗ה וְשֹׁסַ֤עַת NAS: Whatever divides a hoof, KJV: Whatsoever parteth the hoof, INT: Whatever divides A hoof making Leviticus 11:4 Leviticus 11:4 Leviticus 11:5 Leviticus 11:6 Leviticus 11:7 Leviticus 11:26 Deuteronomy 14:6 Deuteronomy 14:7 Deuteronomy 14:7 Deuteronomy 14:8 Psalm 69:31 Isaiah 58:7 Jeremiah 16:7 14 Occurrences |
    |
break neck, etc.; Syriac 
hoof, ᵑ7 מַּרְסְחָא (see מַּרְסָה below); compare NöZA i.417 f.); —