Lexical Summary peresh: Dung, refuse, excrement Original Word: פֶרֶשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dung From parash; excrement (as eliminated) -- dung. see HEBREW parash NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition fecal matter NASB Translation refuse (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶּ֫רֶשׁ noun [masculine] faecal matter found in intestines of victim; — ׳פ absolute Malachi 2:3; construct Malachi 2:3; suffix מִּרְשׁוֺ Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:11; Leviticus 8:17; מִּרְשָׁה Numbers 19:5; מִּרְשָׁם Leviticus 16:27 (all P). Topical Lexicon Semantic Scope and SymbolismThe noun פֶרֶשׁ designates the refuse contained within an animal—the undigested matter and accompanying offal removed during butchering. Scripture connects it with uncleanness, uselessness, and the necessity of removal from the sphere of worship. Occurrences within the Sacrificial System Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:11; 8:17; 16:27; Numbers 19:5 In each text the flesh, hide, and פֶרֶשׁ of a specified offering are carried “outside the camp” and burned. Whether in the inaugural consecration of priests, the regular sin offering, the Day of Atonement, or the red-heifer rite, the same demand applies: every residue linked with sin must be removed from holy space and destroyed. Malachi 2:3 (doublet in the Masoretic division) “See, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the dung of your offerings, and you will be carried off with it.” The refuse becomes an instrument of prophetic censure—priests who trivialize holiness will themselves share the shame of the refuse they mishandled. Ritual Geography: Outside the Camp The recurring destination of פֶרֶשׁ is outside the camp (later outside the city). This ash-heap location forms a boundary between the sanctuary of holiness and the realm of uncleanness. Hebrews 13:11–13 draws on this pattern, linking the burning of refuse to Messiah’s suffering “outside the camp,” where He bore sin and disgrace. Theological Themes • Holiness: God’s presence cannot coexist with defilement; refuse is separated and destroyed. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near-Eastern cults sometimes left offal on the altar for lesser deities. Israel’s instructions stand in deliberate contrast, underlining Yahweh’s unique demand for purity and safeguarding the camp from disease. Practical Ministry Application Ministers must heed Malachi’s warning: negligent worship turns the means of grace into shame. Faithful service removes moral filth rather than masking it. The constant disposal of פֶרֶשׁ urges believers to examine their hearts, confess sin, and maintain purity in corporate worship. Christological and Typological Significance Jesus Christ fulfilled the pattern by suffering “outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:12). The burning of פֶרֶשׁ foreshadowed His bearing of all human uncleanness. Though seldom mentioned, פֶרֶשׁ quietly supports the grand narrative of redemption—sin removed, holiness preserved, and God’s people invited to draw near. Forms and Transliterations וּפִרְשֽׁוֹ׃ ופרשו׃ פִּרְשָֽׁם׃ פִּרְשָׁ֖הּ פִּרְשׁ֔וֹ פֶ֙רֶשׁ֙ פֶּ֖רֶשׁ פרש פרשה פרשו פרשם׃ feresh pe·reš p̄e·reš pereš p̄ereš Peresh pir·šāh pir·šām pir·šōw piršāh piršām pirShah pirSham pirSho piršōw ū·p̄ir·šōw ufirSho ūp̄iršōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:14 HEB: עֹר֣וֹ וְאֶת־ פִּרְשׁ֔וֹ תִּשְׂרֹ֣ף בָּאֵ֔שׁ NAS: and its hide and its refuse, you shall burn KJV: and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn INT: of the bull hide refuse shall burn fire Leviticus 4:11 Leviticus 8:17 Leviticus 16:27 Numbers 19:5 Malachi 2:3 Malachi 2:3 7 Occurrences |
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