H6544a H6544a
when let loose, when hair is unbound, or when leaders lead (uncertain); appears in Judges 5:2
This infinitive construct appears in the opening of Deborah's song (Judges 5:2), but its precise meaning is debated. Traditional interpretations include 'when the leaders led in Israel' or 'when men let their hair hang loose' (possibly indicating dedication to warfare or a vow). The root פָּרַע carries meanings of loosing, unbinding, or leading. Modern translations vary widely: some emphasize leadership ('when princes led'), others warrior dedication ('when warriors dedicated themselves'), and still others translate more literally about hair being loosed. The phrase introduces praise for Israel's response to the crisis, whatever the specific imagery.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Judges 5:2 begins: 'When [leaders led / hair was loosed / warriors dedicated themselves] in Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves, bless the LORD!' The multilingual glosses (let loose, se soltaron meaning 'were loosed', délier meaning 'unbind') tend toward the 'unbinding' sense. Context suggests warrior dedication or mobilization—the people's voluntary response to Deborah and Barak's call. Whatever the precise nuance, the verse celebrates Israel's willingness to fight when leadership emerged, resulting in victory over Canaanite oppression. 1×
AR["بِ-انْطِلاقِ"]·ben["নেতৃত্ব-দেওয়াতে-"]·DE["als-lass-loesen"]·EN["when-let-loose"]·FR["quand-que-délier"]·heb["ב-פרוע"]·HI["जब-छूटे"]·ID["Ketika-terurai"]·IT["quando-lasciare-sciogliere"]·jav["Nalika-ngudhari"]·KO["머리풀다-를"]·PT["Quando-soltar"]·RU["Когда-распустились"]·ES["Cuando-se-soltaron"]·SW["walipojitoa"]·TR["de-serbest-bırakma"]·urd["جب-کھلے"]
Related Senses
G0846 1. third-person pronoun reference (5552×)H???? 1. (4670×)H6213a 1. do, perform, act (2383×)G4160 1. do, act, perform (473×)H5221 1. Hifil: to strike in battle, smite enemies (362×)H0899b 1. garment, article of clothing (216×)H6213a 2. make, construct, fabricate (148×)H3772 1. cut a covenant / make a pact (97×)H5060 1. touch physically (Qal) (96×)H3615 1. complete a task (Piel) (85×)H3772 2. cut off / destroy (Hifil causative) (81×)H3920 1. capture, seize (Qal) (76×)H???? 12. (76×)H3772 3. be cut off / be eliminated (Niphal) (74×)H6213a 3. be done, be made (Niphal) (73×)G4160 2. make, construct, create (62×)H3847 1. Qal: put on, wear (60×)H8210 1. pour out (liquid/libation) (59×)G2440 1. garment or clothing (general) (54×)H4191 4. kill / put to death (Hifil causative) (50×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [פָּרַע] vb. denom. act as leader, lead (?);—only Inf. cstr. בִּפְרֹעַ Ju 5:2, v. supr.