Hebrew word · H6484

פָּצַר

vaiyiftzar-

to press

The basic verb patsar means "to press, urge, insist". Lot presses the angels to stay (Gen 19:3), the men of Sodom press against Lot (Gen 19:9), Jacob urges Esau to take his gift (Gen 33:11), and Naaman urges Elisha (2 Kgs 5:16). The causative form here occurs nowhere else. arrogance, presumption".

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to press, push

1a) (Qal) to push, press

1b) (Hiphil) be insolent, display pushing (arrogance, presumption)

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 1 Samuel 15:23

Range of meaning

The basic verb patsar means "to press, urge, insist". Lot presses the angels to stay (Gen 19:3), the men of Sodom press against Lot (Gen 19:9), Jacob urges Esau to take his gift (Gen 33:11), and Naaman urges Elisha (2 Kgs 5:16). The causative form here occurs nowhere else. BDB gives "display pushing, i.e. arrogance, presumption". Other suggestions are "insubordination" and "obstinacy".

Against the English

KJV/WEB "stubbornness" stresses a dug-in refusal to move. ESV "presumption" and BSB/NIV "arrogance" stress pushing ahead on one's own authority. NASB has "insubordination". The root leans toward active pushing more than passive refusal: forcing one's own way.

How it drifted

None as such. The meaning is uncertain because the form is unique, so translators make different educated guesses.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used only here in this form. The Greek Septuagint seems either not to have recognised it or to have read a different text.

From the study of 2 Kings 5:16

Range of meaning

To press, urge, push hard on someone. Used of insistent persuasion, and once of a mob physically pushing against a man (Gen 19:9). Rare: about seven occurrences.

Against the English

"Urged" (KJV, BSB, WEB) is accurate but a little mild. YLT's "presseth on him" keeps the sense of physical pressure.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gen 19:3 (Lot urges the visitors), 19:9 (the men of Sodom press against Lot); Gen 33:11 (Jacob urges Esau to take his "blessing"-gift, and Esau takes it); Judg 19:7; 2 Kgs 2:17 (the prophets' sons urge Elisha until he gives in); 2 Kgs 5:23.

From the study of Genesis 33:11

Range of meaning

To press, push, urge hard. It is used of insistent persuasion (Gen 19:3; Judg 19:7; 2 Kgs 2:17; 5:16) and once of a mob physically pressing against a man (Gen 19:9). BDB: 'push, press'.

Against the English

KJV and WEB: 'urged'. BSB: 'pressed him until he accepted'. YLT: 'presseth on him'. 'Urged' is a little mild. The verb means persistent, physical-sounding pressure.

Used elsewhere in the period

The closest parallel is 2 Kings 5:16: Naaman 'urged (pāṣar) him to take it, but he refused'. There the prophet refuses a gift (a 'blessing', v.15) to keep himself independent. Here Esau gives in, and his giving in is the point.

Where it appears

Genesis · 3

  1. Genesis 19:3 וַיִּפְצַר־ and he urged

    But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

  2. Genesis 19:9 וַיִּפְצְר֨וּ and they urged

    “Get out of the way!” they replied. And they declared, “This one came here as a foreigner, and he is already acting like a judge! Now we will treat you worse than them.” And they pressed in on Lot and moved in to break down the door.

  3. Genesis 33:11 וַיִּפְצַר־ and he urged

    Please accept my gift that was brought to you, because God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” So Jacob pressed him until he accepted.

    Here: Jacob 'pressed hard'. It is a strong word for insistence (used of Lot pressing the visitors to stay, 19:3, and of Naaman pressing a gift on Elisha, 2 Kgs 5:16).

Judges · 1

  1. Judges 19:7 וַיִּפְצַר־ and he urged

    The man got up to depart, but his father-in-law persuaded him, so he stayed there that night.

1 Samuel · 1

  1. 1 Samuel 15:23 הַפְצַ֑ר presumption

    For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

    Here: A rare causative form found only here, from a verb meaning "to press hard, insist". It means pushing your own way: presumption, self-willed insistence. Rendered "stubbornness", "arrogance" or "presumption".

2 Kings · 2

  1. 2 Kings 2:17 וַיִּפְצְרוּ־ and they urged

    But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah.

  2. 2 Kings 5:16 וַיִּפְצַר־ and he urged

    But Elisha replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will not accept it.” And although Naaman urged him to accept it, he refused.

    Here: A strong verb of insistent pressure, as when Lot pressed the visitors to stay with him (Gen 19:3) or Jacob pressed Esau to accept his gift (Gen 33:11). Naaman does not just offer once; he insists.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.