What the Names Perat and Kevar Reveal About the River

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 22:1

It is the Perat, and it is the river Kevar. "Perat," because it is fruitful and multiplies (pareh ve-raveh) until they cross it by boat. "Perat," because it separates and goes on (mafrid) until it runs out and they open it with a hoe. "Kevar," because its waters are light, so much so that its fruits are coarse and do not pass down through a sieve (kevarah).

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