פְּלַגָּה
𐤐𐤋𐤂𐤄
pᵉlaggâh
H6390 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A division or branch, especially of a stream or river; a rivulet, channel, or distributary. In some contexts refers to a section or separated portion, typically of water but occasionally in the extended sense of a division among people.
Semantic Range
branch or division of a stream, rivulet, offshoot of a river, channel, section or separated portion (rare, nonliteral)
Root / Etymology
פְּלַגָּה is derived from the root פָּלַג (palag), which means 'to divide, split, separate.' The noun form refers primarily to something that is divided off—a streamlet, rivulet, or offshoot from a main watercourse. By extension, it can denote a separated portion or subdivision more generally.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term פְּלַגָּה appears infrequently in biblical texts, primarily designating a small stream, rivulet, or division of water (e.g., a gully or channel resulting from a branching off of a river). The underlying root emphasizes the idea of physical separation or branching. Unlike terms such as נַחַל (naḥal, often 'wadi' or 'torrent valley') or יְאֹר (ye’or, specifically the Nile or large rivers), פְּלַגָּה connotes a lesser, smaller watercourse that diverts from a larger supply. In some post-biblical and later usage, the concept of 'division' extends into non-hydrological contexts, indicating a portion, section, or faction. English translations vary; 'streamlet,' 'channel,' 'division,' or 'branch' all occur, but none fully conveys the combined sense of branching from a source with potential for both watercourses and abstract divisions. Usage is limited and context-dependent across the Hebrew Bible, with no theological or anachronistic implications attached to the term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פָּלַג; a runlet, i.e. gully; division, river.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פלג (p-l-g) — divide, split, separate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4653 | מִפְלַגָּה | to divided groups |
| H6385 | פָּלַג | he split apart |
| H6386 | פְּלַג | divided |
| H6387 | פְּלַג | and a half of |
| H6388 | פֶּלֶג | like distributary-streams of |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6390-01 |
בִ/פְלַגּ֑וֹת | vifelagot | HR/Ncfpa |
the streams | in stream-branches | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6390-01 |
Job 20:17 | בִ/פְלַגּ֑וֹת | vifelagot | HR/Ncfpa |
the streams | in stream-branches |