פַּר

From the study of Psalm 22:12

Range of meaning

A bull, usually a young bull in its prime. It is the standard animal for major sacrifices: the purification offering for the high priest and the whole people (Lev 4), the Day of Atonement (Lev 16), and ordination (Exod 29).

Against the English

KJV and others often say "bullock" elsewhere. Here all say "bulls." This is accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

It occurs more than 130 times, mostly in the laws of sacrifice. In Hos 14:2, "the bulls of our lips."

From the study of Exodus 29:1

Range of meaning

'A bull, son of the herd': a young male bovine. Cattle were the most expensive offering, required in the gravest cases: the purification offering for the high priest or the whole community (Leviticus 4:3, 14) and the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:3).

Against the English

'Young bull' (BSB, WEB) and 'young bullock' (KJV) read 'son of the herd' as saying something about age. YLT keeps the idiom. 'Son of' here mainly means 'belonging to the class of', but the usual reading 'young' is supported by the Septuagint's moscharion ('young calf').

Used elsewhere in the period

The same phrase is used for the priest's purification offering in Leviticus 4:3 and for the carrying out of this command in Leviticus 8:2, 14.

From the study of Hosea 14:2

Range of meaning

Young bulls or steers, the costliest common sacrificial animal (Lev 4:3; Num 28–29).

Against the English

KJV "calves", WEB and ESV "bulls", BSB, NIV and NASB "fruit" (following the Greek), NLT "praises" (paraphrase).

How it drifted

"Fruit of our lips" became familiar through Hebrews 13:15, which quotes the Greek Septuagint. Many English versions adopted it, so the Hebrew picture of bulls dropped out of sight.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 69:31 sets a song of praise against a par, "a bull"; Ps 51:19 mentions bulls on the altar. The Septuagint reads καρπὸν χειλέων, "fruit of lips".