Lexicon
פָּצַר
pa.tsar
H6484
H:V Hebrew

to press

7
Occurrences
4
Books
Hebrew
Language

pa.tsar describes persistent urging of someone, and in one scene forceful pressure against a person.

The attested use most often concerns persistent urging intended to move another person to act or change course; the same Qal forms also occur once of a crowd pressing physically against Lot. A Hiphil infinitive appears in 1 Samuel 15:23 within a comparison concerning rebellion and idolatry, where the translation presents the parallel clause as “arrogance.”

Senses in use

  1. Persistent urging of another person · dominant

    In Genesis 19:3, the singular Qal sequential imperfect occurs as a host strongly urges visitors until they turn aside and enter his house. The same form accompanies urging someone to accept a blessing in Genesis 33:11 and pressing a departing man to remain in Judges 19:7; in 2 Kings 5:16, the pressing is met by refusal, while in 2 Kings 2:17 the plural form continues until the man agrees to send searchers.

  2. Forceful pressure against a person · occasional

    In Genesis 19:9, the plural Qal sequential imperfect is used as the men press hard against Lot and draw near to break the door. The clause presents pressure directed physically against a person rather than persuasion toward an offered action.

  3. Pressing named in a moral comparison · occasional

    In 1 Samuel 15:23, the Hiphil infinitive absolute stands in a comparison with rebellion, divination, idolatry, and rejection of the word of the LORD. The APB renders the parallel expression “arrogance,” but the translation does not isolate the term's specific contribution beyond that clause.

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the Qal clauses as “urged,” “pressed,” and “pressed hard,” reflecting both interpersonal persuasion and the physical scene in Genesis 19:9. In 1 Samuel 15:23 it uses “arrogance” in the parallel clause; That wording cannot by itself define the term.

Passages featuring this word

Across Scripture