Lexical Summary patsar: To press, urge, insist Original Word: פָצַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance press, urge, stubbornness A primitive root; to peck at, i.e. (figuratively) stun or dull -- press, urge, stubbornness. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to push, press NASB Translation insubordination (1), pressed (1), urged (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָּצַר] verb push, press (perhaps related, by transposition, to Arabic  appoint, prescribe, Assyrian parƒu, command, compare BaZMG xliii (1889), 188); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular וַיִּפְצַרֿ Genesis 19:3 +, 3 masculine plural וַיִּפְצְרוּ Genesis 19:9; 2 Kings 2:17; — push, press, upon (ב person) physically Genesis 19:2; = urge Genesis 19:3; Genesis 33:11; Judges 19:7; 2 Kings 2:17, + infinitive 2 Kings 5:16; read also probably וַיִּפְצַרבּֿוֺ 2 Samuel 13:25,27; 2 Kings 5:23 (for וַיִּפְרָץֿ), וַיִּפְצְרוּבֿוֺ 1 Samuel 28:23 (for וַיִּפְרְצוּֿ), Tanchum (compare The), Weir in Dr1Samuel 28:23 Kitid. Bu HPS Löhr. Hiph`il Infinitive absolute הַפְצַ֑ר 1 Samuel 15:23 to display pushing (i.e. arrogance, presumption; "" מֶ֔רִי; compare Dr). Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical UsageIn the Hebrew canon, פָצַר portrays intense urging, pressing, or stubborn insistence. Seven inspired occurrences cluster around two poles: positive hospitality or reconciliation, and negative obstinacy. The contexts span patriarchal narratives, early monarchy, prophetic schools, and covenantal instruction, demonstrating the enduring capacity of human insistence either to serve God’s purposes or oppose them. Hospitality, Protection, and Urgency (Genesis 19) Lot’s “pressing” upon the two heavenly visitors in Sodom embodies Middle-Eastern hospitality under crisis. “But he insisted strongly, so they turned aside with him and entered his house” (Genesis 19:3). Lot’s urgency is not mere social politeness; it reflects covenant loyalty, a righteous concern to shield visitors from impending judgment. Ironically, the same root reappears in verse 9 on the lips of the violent mob: “Get out of the way! … They pressed hard against Lot” (Genesis 19:9). Scripture juxtaposes two kinds of insistence—one motivated by righteousness, the other by sin—demonstrating that intensity of purpose is either sanctified or corrupted by the heart that wields it. Reconciliation Between Brothers (Genesis 33:11) After decades of estrangement, Jacob “pressed him until he accepted” the gift intended to appease Esau. The verb underscores Jacob’s earnest desire for restored fellowship and testifies to tangible repentance. Persistent generosity overcame lingering suspicion and turned potential conflict into peaceful reunion, illustrating that godly insistence seeks reconciliation, not domination. Table Fellowship and Pastoral Care (Judges 19:7) In the dark days of the Judges, the old man in Gibeah “insisted, and he lodged there,” sparing the traveling Levite from the open square. Though the chapter ends with horrific sin, the host’s initial insistence highlights a remnant commitment to the covenant virtue of hospitality, echoing Abraham and Lot, and foreshadowing New Testament exhortations: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). Prophetic Instruction: The Peril of Stubbornness (1 Samuel 15:23) When Samuel confronts Saul, the prophet equates “stubbornness” (פָצַר) with idolatry: “rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). Here the root depicts defiant self-will against divine command. The verse exposes a counterfeit persistence that refuses correction, warning believers that holy zeal must remain submissive to the revealed Word lest it mutate into idolatrous self-assertion. Training of Prophets and the Limits of Solicitation (2 Kings 2:17) After Elijah’s translation, the sons of the prophets “urged him until he was ashamed” to allow a search for Elijah’s body. Elisha finally consents to quiet their nagging but their mission proves futile. Human insistence, even within ministry settings, cannot overturn the settled purposes of God. Reverent submission must temper inquiry, a lesson for every generation of disciples. Generosity Resisted for the Sake of God’s Glory (2 Kings 5:16) Naaman, freshly cleansed, “urged him to take it, but he refused.” Elisha’s refusal guards the gospel pattern of free grace. While Naaman’s insistence is grateful, the prophet’s refusal is prophetic, preserving the distinction between divine healing and human payment. Ministry integrity sometimes requires resisting even well-intentioned urging. Theological Reflection The occurrences form a moral spectrum: • Holy insistence safeguards life, promotes reconciliation, and extends hospitality. The key is alignment with the will of God. Persistent faith, when rooted in obedience, mirrors the importunate widow of Luke 18, yet persistence divorced from submission becomes Saul’s stubborn arrogance. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Cultivate gracious urgency—pressing seekers toward refuge in Christ as Lot did toward his guests. Historical Note Ancient Near Eastern hospitality codes made strong urging a social norm, yet Scripture reorients the practice toward covenant love and divine mission. By recording both righteous and unrighteous forms of pressing, the Old Testament provides a balanced witness that upholds personal responsibility before the unchanging standards of God. Christological Significance The righteous dimension of פָצַר foreshadows the messianic mission: Jesus Christ continually “pressed” toward the cross (Luke 9:51) and urges all to enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13). Simultaneously, He warns against Pharisaic stubbornness. In Him the holy persistence of God meets the rebellious persistence of humanity, resulting in redemption for all who yield. Summary פָצַר captures the power of insistence. When directed by faith and obedience, it becomes an instrument of grace; when fueled by pride, it breeds idolatry. The Spirit-filled believer is called to the former, “pressing on toward the goal to win the prize” (Philippians 3:14), while crucifying the latter by humble submission to the Word. Forms and Transliterations הַפְצַ֑ר הפצר וַיִּפְצְר֨וּ וַיִּפְצְרוּ־ וַיִּפְצַר־ ויפצר־ ויפצרו ויפצרו־ hafTzar hap̄·ṣar hap̄ṣar vaiyiftzar vaiyiftzeRu way·yip̄·ṣar- way·yip̄·ṣə·rū way·yip̄·ṣə·rū- wayyip̄ṣar- wayyip̄ṣərū wayyip̄ṣərū-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 19:3 HEB: וַיִּפְצַר־ בָּ֣ם מְאֹ֔ד NAS: Yet he urged them strongly, KJV: And he pressed upon them greatly; INT: urged strongly turned Genesis 19:9 Genesis 33:11 Judges 19:7 1 Samuel 15:23 2 Kings 2:17 2 Kings 5:16 7 Occurrences |
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