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PAY-RESH-AYIN means TO EXPOSE |
BACKGROUND
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One of Rashis functions is to explain the meaning of
words, the same way a dictionary explains words.
THE ROOT
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In this module we explain the meaning of
the root, PRA, PAY-RESH-AYIN.
THE RADACK
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The RADACK in his book ROOTS -- an excellent reference
book, which presents the meanings of all Biblical
roots -- lists 5-6 meanings of PRA. They are
-- to GROW HAIR (eg Lv10-06)
-- to EXPOSE (Nu05-18)
-- VENGANCE (Dt32-42)
-- to be VULNERABLE (EXPOSE) (Ex32-25)
-- to ANNUL/DESPISE/INTEFER/HARASS/RETRACT (Ex05-04, Ez24-15)
Note that these 5 meanings dont seem to have a unifying theme.
UNIFYING THEMES IN RASHI
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By contrast, Rashi suggests a unified approach.
* On Dt32-42a Rashi explains that PRA means VENGANCE,
by EXPOSURE OF FORTIFICATION -- that is, by a BREAKIN.
Note the more focused speficity in Rashis explanation
* Rashi presents 2 explanations of the use of PRA in Ex32-25:
- The verse can mean the people were DISGUSTING (Ex05-04)
- The verse can mean the people were EXPOSED/VULNERABLE(Ex32-25)
Thus Rashi hints at a unified meaning of EXPOSED
THE LISTS
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We present two lists. In this first list we present
ONE RASHI per MEANING of PRA. In the second list we present
all Rashis on PRA.
|
| MEANING |
VERSE |
SAMPLE TEXT WITH pra TRANSLATED AS EXPOSE |
| Expose |
Nu05-18b |
He shall EXPOSE her hair |
| Grow hair wild |
Nu06-05b |
Let his hair BE EXPOSED(i.e. GROW WILD*1) |
| Breakins |
Dt32-42d |
the enemy EXPOSURE OF FORTRESSES(breakins*2 |
| intefer*5 |
Ex05-04a |
HARASS by EXPOSING them to the idea of rest |
| Disgusting*6 |
Ex32-25a |
They had become VULNERABLE from partying*4 |
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COMMENTS |
*1 WILD Hair growth (PRA)refers to at least 30 days of uncut hair
The Bible refers to WILD UNCUT HAIR as EXPOSED hair since
haircuts, so to speak, KEEP THE HAIR IN, while lack of
haircuts, lets the hair grow WILD and EXPOSES it.
Here are some other Rashis on PRA as hair growth
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VERSE TEXT OF VERSE WHOSE HAIR
-------- ------------------------------- ------------------
Nu05-18b He shall EXPOSE her hair Nazirite
Lv10-06a Dont GROW YOUR HAIR*1 Mourners
Lv13-45b he will let his hair GROW*2 Lepor
Lv21-10a He wont let his HAIR grow*3 *4 High Priest
Nu06-05b let his LOCKS of hair grow *4*5 Nazirite
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*2 The traditional translation is VENGANCE. A more precise
translation is given by Rashi: BREAKINS OF FORTIFICATIONS.
The breakin (literally)EXPOSES the enemy.Thus this meaning
is consistent with the idea of EXPOSURE.
*3 Compare the English idiom
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WHY PUT IDEAS INTO THEIR HEADS
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which inidcates INTEFERRENCE or HARASSMENT
In Hebrew equivalant of this Idiom is
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WHY EXPOSE THEM TO NEW IDEAS
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or for short
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WHY EXPOSE to THEM
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While Rashi translates Ex05-04 as inteference, nevertheless
Rashi explicitly explains this as
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Why EXPOSE them to ideas of rest which
will intefer with their work?
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*4 Other translations are
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THE NATION WAS DISGUSTING
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or
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THE NATION WAS DISTANT from God.
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We have translated this verse as
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THE NATION WAS VULNERABLE
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Note that the ENGLISH -EXPOSED- can mean VULNERABLE
*5 Some other verses where PRA means TO EXPOSE, TO MAKE
VULNERABLE, TO INTEFER or TO HARASS are
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VERSE TEXT OF VERSE WITH pay-resh-ayin
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Ex05-04a Why INEFER/HARASS their work
Prv29-18 Without rebuke they-re EXPOSED
Prv01-25 You EXPOSED all my advise (& inteferred)
Prv04-15 EXPOSE it; and avoid it
Ez24-14 I will NOT EXPOSE my wrath(Allow it to be discussed)
Gn41-45b (His name was) POTI-PERAH (His name was EXPOSED)
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With regard to POTIPERA consider the following:
Recall that Joseph was enslaved in
Egypt to a master named POTIPAR. His masters wife made
advances to Joseph which he refused. His master then
put him in prison a place traditionally associated with
RAPE and GAY SEX.
POTIPAR was punished for this. His name
became PRA (Exposed) vs the former POTIPAR (FRUITFUL)
Perhaps his marriage became exposed and he got divorced.
EXPOSED is a fitting name for a divorcee.
Alternatively perhaps he became sexually exposed to many
partners and was castrated.
Either way we see that Potipar was punished
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