Lexical Summary palag: To divide, to split Original Word: פָלַג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance divide A primitive root; to split (literally or figuratively) -- divide. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to split, divide NASB Translation cleft (1), divide (1), divided (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָּלַג] verb split, divide (Late Hebrew chiefly in secondary meanings and derivatives; Arabic  divide, split; Aramaic מְּלֵיג,  divide; Ethiopic  ravine, stream; Assyrian palgu, canal); — Niph`al Perfect3feminine singular נִפְלְגָה Genesis 10:25 the earth was divided. Pi`el 1. Perfect3masculine singular gL'Pi`el Job 38:25 cleave a channel for rain. 2 Imperative masculine singular מַּלַּג (Ges§ 52n) Psalm 55:10 divide their speech (their counsels). [מְּלַג] verb divide (ᵑ7 Syriac; compare Biblical Hebrew (chiefly late)); — Pe`al passive feminine singular מְּלִיגָה תֶּהֱוֵה Daniel 2:41 shall be divided. Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical Usage פָלַג appears only four times in the Hebrew Scriptures, yet each setting illustrates a distinct divine act of “dividing” or “channeling.” Whether the subject is the splitting of nations, the carving of watercourses, or the shattering of evil counsel, the verb consistently communicates purposeful separation under the hand of God. Genealogical Division and the Tower of Babel Genesis 10:25 and 1 Chronicles 1:19 record: “Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided”. The placement of פָלַג in the table of nations anchors it to the Babel event (Genesis 11). The division was not merely geographic but linguistic and cultural, forming distinct peoples. Peleg’s name became a living memorial to the judgment that scattered humanity and curbed collective rebellion. The genealogical repetition in Chronicles reinforces the historicity of the dispersion and God’s sovereignty over the boundaries of nations (compare Acts 17:26). Cosmic Engineering in Creation and Providence In Job 38:25 the Lord asks, “Who cuts a channel for the flood or a path for the thunderstorm?”. Here פָלַג depicts God carving out conduits in creation itself. The imagery highlights His meticulous governance of natural forces, asserting that every torrent and lightning bolt travels by a line drawn by the Creator. The same God who once split mankind’s unity now slices pathways for rain, underscoring His mastery from the macrocosm of history to the microcosm of a raindrop. Imprecatory Prayer and the Division of Wicked Counsel Psalm 55:9 implores, “Confuse, O Lord, and confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.” David reaches back to the Babel paradigm, seeking a fresh act of פָלַג against conspirators. The psalmist recognizes that when evil plots solidify, divine fragmentation is mercy for the oppressed. The prayer shows saints may appeal to God’s dividing power to dismantle unrighteous alliances while trusting Him to preserve covenant unity among His people. Theological and Ministerial Insights 1. Divine Judgment and Mercy: פָלַג exposes rebellion by scattering it (Babel) yet also mitigates greater evil; dispersion prevented humanity from achieving a unified defiance of heaven. Christological and Eschatological Trajectory At Pentecost the languages scattered at Peleg’s namesake event were supernaturally bridged (Acts 2), signaling that the purpose of past division was preparatory. Through the cross Christ “has made the two one” (Ephesians 2:14), gathering the nations He once dispersed. Yet final judgment will again involve separating peoples as sheep from goats (Matthew 25:32), proving that divine division persists until every rebellion is subdued and the redeemed are united in a purified new creation. Practical Application for Contemporary Believers • Remember God still governs historical and personal boundaries; contentment grows when we accept our allotted field of service. Forms and Transliterations נִפְלְגָ֣ה נפלגה פִלַּ֣ג פַּלַּ֣ג פלג filLag nifleGah nip̄·lə·ḡāh nip̄ləḡāh pal·laḡ palLag pallaḡ p̄il·laḡ p̄illaḡLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:25 HEB: כִּ֤י בְיָמָיו֙ נִפְלְגָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ וְשֵׁ֥ם NAS: the earth was divided; and his brother's KJV: was the earth divided; and his brother's INT: in his days was divided the earth name 1 Chronicles 1:19 Job 38:25 Psalm 55:9 4 Occurrences |
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