Lexical Summary Perath: Euphrates Original Word: פְרָת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Euphrates From an unused root meaning to break forth; rushing; Perath (i.e. Euphrates), a river of the East -- Euphrates. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition a river of W. Asia NASB Translation Euphrates (18). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְּרָת proper name, masculine, of a river Eupharates, Ευφρατης (Assyrian Purattu DlPa.169 ff., Whence Old Persian, Ufrâtu, SpiegAPK 211); — the greatest river of West Asia; ׳פ Genesis 2:14. ׳נְהַר פ Genesis 15:18; (both secondary phrases in J), ׳נְהַר פ also 2 Samuel 8:3 (Qr, see נָהָר), Jeremiah 46:2,6,10; Deuteronomy 1:7; Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:4 (D), 2 Kings 23:29; 2 Kings 24:7; 1 Chronicles 5:9; 1 Chronicles 18:3; נהר omitted Jeremiah 13:4,5,6,7 (where Ew Hi Marti, after SchickZPV iii. ll, think of some other מְּרָת, but Gf Gie and most defend Euphrates) Jeremiah 51:63; 2Chronicles 35:20 (compare Genesis 2:14 above); name not certainly attested before D Jeremiah; on earlier הַנָּהָר for this river see ׳נ. מֹּרָת Genesis 42:22 see [ מָּרָה]. Topical Lexicon Geographical Overview Pĕrath, rendered “the Euphrates,” is the longest and most consequential river of Western Asia. Rising in the Armenian highlands, it courses roughly 2,780 kilometers through modern-day Türkiye, Syria, and Iraq before joining the Tigris and emptying into the Persian Gulf. In Scripture it marks the northeastern limit of the Promised Land, a strategic artery for trade and warfare, and a stage on which the Lord reveals both blessing and judgment. First Appearance: The River of Eden (Genesis 2:14) “The name of the fourth river is the Euphrates” (Genesis 2:14). Its early mention situates Pĕrath in the pristine environment of Eden, linking it forever with God’s original provision and order. Even after the Fall and Flood, the name endures, reminding readers that history unfolds under the same sovereign Creator who planted the Garden. Covenantal Boundary and Promise (Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 1:7; 11:24; Joshua 1:4) On the day the Lord cut His covenant with Abram He pledged territory “from the River of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18). Moses and Joshua repeat the clause as Israel stands on the verge of Canaan, establishing Pĕrath as the ideal frontier of Israel’s inheritance. The phrase “the great river” (hā-nâhār haggādôl) distinguishes it from every other watercourse and underscores the magnitude of God’s promise. The boundary is not merely geographic; it is theological, proclaiming that the land grant rests on divine grace rather than Israel’s prowess. Davidic Expansion and the Zenith of Israelite Rule (2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Chronicles 18:3) David “defeated Hadadezer … when he went to restore his control along the Euphrates River” (2 Samuel 8:3). Under the united monarchy, Israel briefly realizes the promised border. The chronicler (1 Chronicles 18:3) records the same campaign, celebrating the Lord’s faithfulness across generations. David’s victories prefigure the Messiah’s ultimate dominion (Psalm 72:8), encouraging believers that God’s purposes, though sometimes delayed, are never thwarted. Strategic Crossroads for Nations (2 Kings 23:29; 24:7; 2 Chronicles 35:20) Centuries later, Pĕrath becomes the pivot of Near-Eastern power politics. Josiah falls at Megiddo while attempting to intercept Pharaoh Neco “who went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates” (2 Chronicles 35:20). Babylon subsequently secures the whole corridor “from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River” (2 Kings 24:7), marking the eclipse of Egyptian influence and the rise of Nebuchadnezzar. These events illustrate that even superpowers move within limits set by the Lord of hosts (Daniel 2:21). Jeremiah’s Linen Sash: A Living Parable (Jeremiah 13:4-7) The prophet is commanded, “Take the sash you bought and are wearing, go at once to the Euphrates, and hide it in a crevice of the rock” (Jeremiah 13:4). When retrieved, it is “ruined and completely useless.” The distant journey and the ruined garment dramatize Judah’s pride and impending exile. The location is intentional: as waters from Pĕrath would soon carry Babylonian troops southward, so Judah would be removed from her land. The act turns geography into sermon, reminding every messenger of God to embody the word he preaches. Oracle against Egypt and the Day of the Lord (Jeremiah 46:2-10) Jeremiah 46 opens “concerning Egypt … beside the Euphrates River at Carchemish, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated.” The prophet foresees shock and rout: “The swift cannot flee, nor the strong escape. In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall.” (Jeremiah 46:6) The battle becomes a template for “the day of the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance” (46:10). Pĕrath thus resonates with eschatological undertones, foreshadowing the ultimate reckoning when human might meets divine justice. Symbol of Final Judgment (Jeremiah 51:63) “When you finish reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and throw it into the Euphrates.” As the scroll sinks, so Babylon will sink, “never to rise again.” The action seals God’s verdict on the empire that once boasted along its banks. The river that witnessed Babylon’s ascendancy now testifies to its irrevocable downfall, assuring God’s people that every oppressor will meet a limit. Themes for Ministry and Discipleship 1. God sets boundaries. Pĕrath reminds believers that inheritances come from the Lord, not human striving. Summary Pĕrath flows through Scripture as more than water: it is boundary of blessing, highway of conquest, stage of prophetic drama, and harbinger of judgment. From Eden to exile it bears witness that “the earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” Whoever traces its biblical course gains a deeper confidence that the God who controls rivers also orders human history and secures the destiny of His people. Forms and Transliterations בִּפְרָ֑ת בפרת פְּרָ֑ת פְּרָ֔ת פְּרָ֔תָה פְּרָ֖ת פְּרָ֗ת פְּרָֽת׃ פְרָֽת׃ פְּרָֽת פרת פרת׃ פרתה bifRat bip̄·rāṯ bip̄rāṯ feRat pə·rā·ṯāh pə·rāṯ p̄ə·rāṯ peRat pərāṯ p̄ərāṯ peRatah pərāṯāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 2:14 HEB: הָֽרְבִיעִ֖י ה֥וּא פְרָֽת׃ NAS: And the fourth river is the Euphrates. KJV: And the fourth river [is] Euphrates. INT: and the fourth he is the Euphrates Genesis 15:18 Deuteronomy 1:7 Deuteronomy 11:24 Joshua 1:4 2 Samuel 8:3 2 Kings 23:29 2 Kings 24:7 1 Chronicles 5:9 1 Chronicles 18:3 2 Chronicles 35:20 Jeremiah 13:4 Jeremiah 13:5 Jeremiah 13:6 Jeremiah 13:7 Jeremiah 46:2 Jeremiah 46:6 Jeremiah 46:10 Jeremiah 51:63 19 Occurrences |
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