perekim

Perekim (singular: perek) is a Hebrew term meaning "chapters" or "sections." The word derives from the Hebrew root perek, referring to a break or division within a text. In transliteration, the plural is commonly written as perekim or perakim, with both forms appearing in English-language scholarly writing.

In biblical and post-biblical Hebrew, perekim are the standard divisions of most books. Each book of the Tanakh is traditionally divided into perakim, which are numbered and referenced in commentaries and study aids. In standard editions of the Masoretic Text and in modern Hebrew Bibles, these divisions provide a convenient scheme for locating passages. For example, Genesis is divided into 50 perakim, Exodus into 40, Leviticus into 27, Numbers into 36, and Deuteronomy into 34.

Modern usage extends the term beyond biblical texts. In contemporary Hebrew and in academic writing, perek is used to denote chapters in any book, including novels, histories, and scholarly works. The concept of perakim is distinct from parashot (parashiyot), the weekly Torah portions, which are a different mode of division used for liturgical and study purposes.

Overall, perekim function as a fundamental structural unit in Hebrew literature, enabling reference, analysis, and discussion of text across religious and secular contexts. They provide a standardized way to navigate long works, especially within the Hebrew Bible and related scholarly editions.