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פֶּלַח

𐤐𐤋𐤇

pelach

H6400 noun

SILEX Entry

Root פּלח to split, to divide, to cleave

Definition

A slice, section, or fragment of a physical object, typically referring to a cut or portion separated from a whole, especially of food, wood, or other materials. In specific contexts, it denotes a portion that has been divided or allotted.

Semantic Range

slice, piece, section, fragment, cut portion

Root / Etymology

פֶּלַח is derived from the root פָּלַח (plḥ), which at its core means 'to split, cleave, divide.' The noun formation reflects something which is the result of this action—a thing that is split or cut off, i.e., a slice or piece.

Historical & Contextual Notes

פֶּלַח appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, attested most notably in poetic or figurative contexts. In Song of Songs 5:2, it refers to a 'slice' of myrrh, poetically describing a small, scented portion. Its usage reflects concrete, tangible meaning related to division, as opposed to more abstract terms for 'portion' or 'allotment.' The term is distinct from חֵלֶק (ḥéleq), which often denotes an apportioned share, inheritance, or abstract division. פֶּלַח remains rooted in the physical act or result of splitting or slicing, usually with reference to food, objects, or materials. There is no evidence for broader religious or metaphoric meanings in biblical or early post-biblical contexts, and 'slice' or 'piece' remains its central semantic value. Later translations sometimes render it as 'piece' or 'parcel,' but always emphasizing the physical result of division rather than legal or ritual portion. It does not carry later connotations associated with societal sharing or economic division.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from פָּלַח; a slice; piece.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

פלח (p-l-ḥ) — to split, to divide, to cleave

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6398 פָּלַח one who splits open
H6399 פְּלַח ministering ones
H6401 פִּלְחָא Pilcha
H6402 פׇּלְחָן for ritual service of

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6400-02 כְּ/פֶ֣לַח kefelach HR/Ncfsa like a slice like a slice 3
H6400-03 פֶּ֥לַח pelach HNcfsc millstone slice of 2
H6400-01 פֶ֨לַח felach HNcfsc a piece slice of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6400-03 Judges 9:53 פֶּ֥לַח pelach HNcfsc piece slice of
H6400-01 1 Samuel 30:12 פֶ֨לַח felach HNcfsc a piece slice of
H6400-03 2 Samuel 11:21 פֶּ֨לַח pelach HNcfsc millstone slice of
H6400-02 Job 41:16 כְּ/פֶ֣לַח kefelach HR/Ncfsa like a shell like a slice
H6400-02 Song of Songs 4:3 כְּ/פֶ֤לַח kefelach HR/Ncfsc like a slice like a slice
H6400-02 Song of Songs 6:7 כְּ/פֶ֤לַח kefelach HR/Ncfsc like a slice like a slice
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