Original Word: פָרַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: paraq
Pronunciation: pah-RAHK
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-rak')
KJV: break (off), deliver, redeem, rend (in pieces), tear in pieces
NASB: tear off, break, deliver, dragging me away, rending, rescued, tear it off
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to break off or crunch
2. (figuratively) to deliver

break off, deliver, redeem, rend in pieces, tear in pieces

A primitive root; to break off or crunch; figuratively, to deliver -- break (off), deliver, redeem, rend (in pieces), tear in pieces.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to tear apart or away
NASB Translation
break (1), deliver (1), dragging me away (1), rending (1), rescued (1), tear it off (1), tear off (2), tore off (1), torn off (1).

[מָּרַק] verb tear apart, away (Late Hebrew remove (load, etc.), Pi`el separate, take to pieces; Arabic split, divide;; ᵑ7 מְּרַק especially redeem, rescue; Syriac withdraw (intransitive), also remove, rescue; Ethiopic : set free); —

Qal Perfect2masculine singular וּפָרַקְדָמתּ֫ Genesis 27:40; Imperfect3masculine singular suffix וַיִּפְרְקֵנזּ Psalm 136:24; Participle active מֹּרֵק Lamentations 5:8; Psalm 7:3 tear away yoke from pff (מֵעַל neck Genesis 27:40 (J); snatck from (מִן) foes, = rescue (Aramaic) Lamentations 5:8; Psalm 136:24; so absolute Psalm 7:3 (prefixing (וְ)אֵין, ᵑ7 ᵑ6 Che Du We), > Hup Bae and others snatch away as prey.

Pi`el Imperfect3masculine singular יְפָרֵק Zechariah 11:16 he shall tear off their hoofs; Imperative masculine plural מָּֽרְקוּ Exodus 32:2 (E) tear off the golden ear-tings; Participle מְפָרֵק 1 Kings 19:11 a great wind rending mountains ("" מְשַׁבֵּר).

Hithpa`el tear off (for, i.e. from, oneself Ges^{§ 54f}); Imperfect3masculine plural וַיִּתְמָּֽרְקוּ Exodus 32:3 (E), with accusative אֶתנִֿזְמֵי הַזָּהָב; Imperative masculine plural הִתְמָּרָ֑קוּ Exodus 32:24 (E; object omitted); passive be broken off, Perfect3plural הִתְמָּֽרְקוּ Ezekiel 19:12 (branches).

Semantic Range in Scripture

Though פָרַק is frequently rendered “tear off,” “break away,” or “deliver,” the underlying idea is an abrupt removal—whether of physical objects (ornaments, prey), of persons from bondage, or of oppressive yokes. Each occurrence displays a decisive act that changes circumstances dramatically.

Patterns of Usage

1. Liberation from oppressive domination (Genesis 27:40; Psalm 136:24; Lamentations 5:8).
2. Violent seizure or destruction (Psalm 7:2; Ezekiel 19:12; Zechariah 11:16).
3. Forceful removal of valuables (Exodus 32:2-3, 24).
4. Sudden dislodging by divine power (1 Kings 19:11).

Key Texts and Insights

• Genesis 27:40 – Esau is promised that when he grows restless he “will tear his yoke from your neck.” The verb depicts a decisive revolt breaking Jacob’s grip. Historically fulfilled in Edomite uprisings (2 Kings 8:20-22), it highlights God’s sovereign timetable over nations.

• Exodus 32:2-3, 24 – Aaron commands the people, “Take off the gold earrings,” and later recounts how they “tore them off.” Here פָרַק advances the narrative from mere disobedience to willful plundering of themselves for idolatry, contrasting sharply with the earlier God-ordained plundering of Egypt (Exodus 12:36).

• 1 Kings 19:11 – On Horeb, Yahweh is not in the wind that “tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks.” The awesome force that can dismantle mountains chooses instead a still small voice, teaching that God’s power is not limited to violent displays.

• Psalm 136:24 – “And delivered us from our foes, His loving devotion endures forever.” The psalmist’s use of פָרַק frames deliverance as an act as violent toward enemies as it is gentle toward His people—a covenant love expressed through decisive rescue.

• Ezekiel 19:12 – The lioness’s strong branch is “torn off and thrown to the ground,” portraying judgment on Israel’s monarchy. The imagery of violent uprooting echoes covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:63-64).

• Zechariah 11:16 – The worthless shepherd “will tear off their hooves,” emphasizing the reckless exploitation of the flock. By predicting such abuse, the prophet magnifies the need for the true Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Theological Insights

1. Divine sovereignty: Whether liberating Israel or judging her kings, the Lord alone determines when yokes are removed or branches are torn off.
2. Human agency: People can misuse the act of removal—Exodus 32 shows that tearing off ornaments can fuel idolatry, warning against perverting God-given freedom.
3. Covenant faithfulness: Psalm 136 contrasts God’s steadfast love with the destructive tearing of enemies, affirming that His covenant love motivates His mighty acts.

Historical Contexts

• Edom’s revolt (Genesis 27:40) materialized during Jehoram’s reign, providing a concrete example of prophetic word becoming historical fact.
• The golden-calf episode (Exodus 32) occurred shortly after Sinai, underscoring the danger of haste in worship.
• Mount Carmel to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19) places Elijah’s experience amid Israel’s apostasy, reinforcing God’s prerogative to dismantle or preserve.
• Post-exilic Judah (Zechariah 11) faces exploitative leadership; the verb amplifies the community’s vulnerability during Persian rule.

Application for Ministry

• Counseling: Use פָרַק passages to assure believers that God can snap oppressive addictions or burdens.
• Preaching: Contrast the righteous deliverance of Psalm 136:24 with the self-destructive tearing in Exodus 32 to illustrate true and false freedom.
• Leadership: Zechariah 11:16 warns pastors against predatory shepherding; ministry must build up, not tear off.
• Intercession: Pray Jeremiah-style for God to “tear off” spiritual blindness from nations, confident in His precedent of decisive intervention.

Christological and Prophetic Resonances

While פָרַק never directly references Messiah, its motifs converge on Him: He proclaims “freedom for the captives” (Luke 4:18) and breaks the yoke of sin (Romans 6:6). Conversely, at the cross the Shepherd is struck, fulfilling the violent imagery of torn branches, yet rising to deliver forever.

Connections to New Testament Teaching

• Acts 13:39 affirms that all who believe “are justified from everything,” echoing the liberation sense of פָרַק.
• Colossians 2:15 depicts Christ disarming rulers, a cosmic tearing off of hostile powers rooted in Old Testament deliverance themes.

Summary

פָרַק captures decisive moments when something is abruptly removed—yokes, ornaments, prey, branches—whether by human rebellion or divine intervention. The verb’s ten appearances weave a tapestry of liberation, judgment, and sober warning, ultimately pointing to the One who tears away sin’s chains and whose voice still breaks rocks yet whispers grace.

הִתְפָּרְק֧וּ הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ התפרקו וַיִּפְרְקֵ֥נוּ וַיִּתְפָּֽרְקוּ֙ וּפָרַקְתָּ֥ ויפרקנו ויתפרקו ופרקת יְפָרֵֽק׃ יפרק׃ מְפָרֵק֩ מפרק פָּֽרְקוּ֙ פֹּ֝רֵ֗ק פֹּרֵ֖ק פרק פרקו hiṯ·pā·rā·qū hiṯ·pā·rə·qū hitpaRaku hiṯpārāqū hitpareKu hiṯpārəqū mə·p̄ā·rêq mefaRek məp̄ārêq pā·rə·qū pareKu pārəqū pō·rêq poRek pōrêq ū·p̄ā·raq·tā ufarakTa ūp̄āraqtā vaiyifreKenu vaiyitpareKu way·yip̄·rə·qê·nū way·yiṯ·pā·rə·qū wayyip̄rəqênū wayyiṯpārəqū yə·p̄ā·rêq yefaRek yəp̄ārêqInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts