פרד

Based on the root word per (to break), pered is a verb of division implying a social isolation, similar in function to the English idiom of “breaking up” with someone.

In the most explicit example, Genesis 13:9 shows the literal intentional physical separation agreed upon between Abram and his nephew Lot. Both had large herds of livestock, and their animals could no longer be sustained within the same area as the herds had grown beyond the capacity of the grazing land.

So Abram said to Lot, “Let us not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let us part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”

This act of Abram is built upon an earlier tradition dating back to the time of Noah. The tenth chapter of Genesis tells of the sons of Noah and how their families divided and spread across the earth as summarized in the final verse of the chapter. Within this context, Genesis 10:5 tells of the division of the seafaring nations from the other cultures.

The tradition continues with Abram's grandson's. Even in the womb, a prophecy was given about the twins: Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. Jehovah answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant but The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23)

In this example the separation is less of a physical one and more of a social conflict. The twins were raised together but never got along.

Likewise in the next example, we see Jacob separating certain goats out of Laban's flock. Though they remain nearby, he keeps them isolated from the others. (Genesis 30:40)

This case is intriguing because it uses the term 'shit' to establish this division, yet the action of dividing is indicated by 'pered' rather than 'barashit'. This grammatical choice enforces the social aspect of this specific division.

The book of Job sees pered used to describe how brothers will often refuse to be parted, and the tendency in nature for lion cubs to leave the pride in search for their own territory. The former sentiment is mirrored in 2 Samuel 1:23 and Ruth 1:17, Proverbs16:28, Proverbs 17:9

Deuteronomy 32:8 contains a fascinating reference which appears to indicate a divine proclamation of certain borders and boundaries. This verse is sometimes used to argue that Yahweh is merely a regional lord, one of many. This will require further investigation.

A couple more strange cases to follow up on later:

2 Kings 2:11 - suddenly [appeared] a chariot of fire and with horses of fire and separated between the two of them and went up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven

Ezekiel 1:11 ostensibly reads something like the faces (of the cherubim) divided And their wings stretched upward of each one two [wings] touched one another and two covered - their bodies, however there are other translation issues here.

Perhaps most perplexing is the very first instance of 'pered', found in Genesis 2:10, for the ostensible translation leads to an altogether impossible geographical situation, which will be addresses in the commentaries. Genesis 2:10 - Now a river went out of Eden to water - the garden and from there it parted and became four headwaters

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LexID 6504

This may be cognate with Latin 'para' and English 'separate'