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פָּלַג

𐤐𐤋𐤂

pâlag

H6385 verb

SILEX Entry

Root פ־ל־ג to split, to divide, to separate

Definition

To split or divide something, either physically (as splitting wood or dividing land) or figuratively (as in dividing people into groups or factions, or allocating portions). The term encompasses both literal and abstract senses of separation or apportioning.

Semantic Range

to split physically, to divide into parts or sections, to separate groups or peoples, to allocate portions, to cause division or discord

Root / Etymology

Root is פּ־ל־ג (plg). As a verb, פָּלַג conveys the action of parting, splitting, or dividing. The root meaning centers on the act of division or separation, from which the verb form directly derives its semantic scope.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פָּלַג is used in biblical texts with both concrete and metaphorical connotations. For instance, in Genesis 10:25 and 1 Chronicles 1:19, the name Peleg (from the same root) is given because 'in his days the earth was divided,' possibly referencing a significant dispersal or migration of peoples. In Psalm 55:9, it refers metaphorically to splitting or dividing tongues, i.e., causing confusion or discord among adversaries. The word does not carry the idea of violence implied by words like חָתַךְ (to cut) or שָׁבַר (to break), but rather the notion of partitioning or distinguishing sections. Its usage is rare and often poetic or narrative when referring to pivotal moments of separation, such as migration, splitting of peoples, or confusion of language. Later Hebrew rarely uses פָּלַג, with related forms and nouns (e.g., פֶּלֶג, 'stream' or 'division') more common. In the Greek Septuagint, it is sometimes rendered with terms for division (διαχωρίζω, διαμερίζω). English translations tend to use "divide" or "split," but these may not capture the broader figurative nuances, especially in narrative or poetic contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to split (literally or figuratively); divide.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פלג (p-l-g) — to split, to divide, to separate

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4653 מִפְלַגָּה to divided groups
H6386 פְּלַג divided
H6387 פְּלַג and a half of
H6388 פֶּלֶג like distributary-streams of
H6389 פֶּלֶג Peleg

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6385-02 נִפְלְגָ֣ה nifelegah HVNp3fs was divided was split apart 2
H6385-03 פַּלַּ֣ג palag HVpv2ms divide Split apart! 1
H6385-01 פִלַּ֣ג filag HVpp3ms has cleft he split apart 1

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6385-02 Genesis 10:25 נִפְלְגָ֣ה nifelegah HVNp3fs was divided was split apart
H6385-03 Psalms 55:10 פַּלַּ֣ג palag HVpv2ms divide Split apart!
H6385-01 Job 38:25 פִלַּ֣ג filag HVpp3ms has cleft he split apart
H6385-02 1 Chronicles 1:19 נִפְלְגָ֣ה nifelegah HVNp3fs was divided was split apart
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