The Hebrew verb paras means to spread out, stretch forth, or break apart. It is used of spreading hands in prayer (1 Kings 8:22), spreading wings (Deuteronomy 32:11), breaking bread (Lamentations 4:4), and spreading out a document or garment. It conveys intentional extension and display.
Paras in prayer contexts — stretching out or spreading the hands toward God — is the ancient posture of supplication. Solomon's great Temple dedication prayer is offered with hands spread (paras, 1 Kings 8:22) toward heaven. Isaiah describes Israel's hypocrisy: spreading their hands in prayer while hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:15). The verb thus diagnoses insincere worship: the outward gesture of paras must align with inward integrity. The eagle spreading its wings over its young (Deuteronomy 32:11) uses paras as a picture of God's protective hovering — the same protective spread of divine wings that shelters the trusting soul (Psalm 91:4).