6545. pera

Lexicon

pera: Unrestrained, wild, out of control

Original Word: פֶרַע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: pera`
Pronunciation: peh-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-rah)
Definition: Unrestrained, wild, out of control
Meaning: the hair

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

locks

From para'; the hair (as dishevelled) -- locks.

see HEBREW para'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
long hair, locks
NASB Translation
locks (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. מֶּ֫רַע noun [masculine] leader (?); — plural absolute בִּפְרֹעַ מְּרָעוֺת Judges 5:2 for the leading of the leaders (ᵐ5^A Be Bu and others, but uncertain; ᵐ5^B Symm, compare We^{Israel u. Jüd. Geschichte. (2), 97; Held.(2). 123 and elsewhere}, for the loosing of locks [II. מֶּרַע], in vow of war; on these and other views see especially GFM^{on the passage}; conjectures also by Lambert^{RÉJ xxiv. 140} Grimme^{ZMG 1(1896), 572} Che^{JQ July 1899, 561} [reading ברכו]); construct מֵראֹשׁ מַּרְעוֺת אוֺיֵב Deuteronomy 32:42 from the head of leaders of the foe ᵐ5 Di Steuern and others; Kn Ke Dr and others from the long-haired heads of the foe.

II. מֶּ֫רַע noun [masculine] long hair of head, locks; — ׳פ absolute Ezekiel 44:20; construct שְׂעַר ראֹשׁוֺ ׳פ Numbers 6:5 (P). — Judges 5:2; Deuteronomy 32:42, see I.מֶּרַע above

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb פָּרַע (paraʿ), which means "to let go," "to let loose," or "to be unkempt."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G747 (ἀρχηγός, archēgos): While not directly related to hair, this term refers to a leader or originator, often used in the New Testament to describe Christ as the "author" or "pioneer" of faith.
• G758 (ἄρχων, archōn): This term denotes a ruler or authority figure, again not directly related to hair but relevant in discussions of leadership and order.
• G2864 (κομᾶω, komaō): This Greek term specifically refers to letting the hair grow long, similar to the Hebrew פֶרַע. It appears in 1 Corinthians 11:14-15, where Paul discusses cultural norms regarding hair length for men and women, highlighting the symbolic significance of hair in different cultural and religious contexts.

In summary, פֶרַע (peraʿ) is a Hebrew term that captures the essence of unrestrained hair, symbolizing both physical and metaphorical states of freedom, dedication, or disorder, depending on the context.

Usage: The word פֶרַע is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe hair that is not bound or restrained, often implying a state of disorder or lack of grooming. It can also carry connotations of wildness or freedom.

Context: פֶרַע (peraʿ) appears in the Hebrew Bible in contexts that emphasize the natural, unrestrained state of hair. This term is often associated with the Nazirite vow, where individuals would let their hair grow long as a sign of their dedication to God. In Numbers 6:5, the Nazirite is instructed: "All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall pass over his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long." This reflects the idea of hair as a symbol of consecration and divine service.

Additionally, פֶרַע can be used metaphorically to describe a lack of discipline or control, as seen in contexts where the people of Israel are described as being "unrestrained" or "running wild" (Exodus 32:25). The imagery of unkempt hair serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual and social disorder.

The concept of unrestrained hair also appears in prophetic literature, where it can symbolize mourning or distress. In Ezekiel 44:20, the priests are instructed not to let their hair grow long, indicating a contrast between the disciplined service of the priesthood and the unrestrained state of mourning or rebellion.

Forms and Transliterations

וּפֶ֖רַע ופרע פֶּ֖רַע פרע pe·ra‘ Pera pera‘ ū·p̄e·ra‘ uFera ūp̄era‘

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 6:5
HEB: יִהְיֶ֔ה גַּדֵּ֥ל פֶּ֖רַע שְׂעַ֥ר רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃
NAS: himself to the LORD; he shall let the locks of hair
KJV: he shall be holy, [and] shall let the locks of the hair
INT: become grow the locks of hair his head

Ezekiel 44:20
HEB: לֹ֣א יְגַלֵּ֔חוּ וּפֶ֖רַע לֹ֣א יְשַׁלֵּ֑חוּ
NAS: their heads, yet they shall not let their locks grow long;
KJV: their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long;
INT: shall not shave their locks not grow

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6545
2 Occurrences

pe·ra‘ — 1 Occ.
ū·p̄e·ra‘ — 1 Occ.