Lexical Summary Palti: Palti Original Word: פַלְטִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Palti, Phalti From palat; delivered; Palti, the name of two Israelites -- Palti, Phalti. see HEBREW palat NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom palat Definition "escape," two Isr. NASB Translation Palti (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מַּלְטִי proper name, masculine Φαλτει (perhaps abbreviated from מַּלְטִיאֵל; — 1 Benjamite Numbers 13:9. 2 second husband of Michal 1 Samuel 25:44 (= מַּלְטִיאֵל 2 Samuel 3:15). Topical Lexicon Meaning of the Name Palti derives from a Hebrew root that conveys the idea of “deliverance” or “escape.” The name itself therefore points to the gracious act of God in rescuing or making a way of escape, a theme that finds rich resonance throughout the whole of Scripture. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Numbers 13:9 – Palti son of Raphu, one of the twelve men sent by Moses to spy out Canaan. Though the name appears only twice under this exact spelling, its bearers are found in two pivotal biblical narratives: the reconnaissance of the promised land and the royal conflicts surrounding David’s rise to the throne. Palti Son of Raphu: A Spy from Benjamin “from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu” (Numbers 13:9). Palti’s selection as Benjamin’s representative among the twelve spies underscored both his leadership standing and the tribe’s close connection to Judah—Benjamin’s territory bordered Judah’s, and the two tribes would later form the southern kingdom. Unfortunately, beyond the bare listing, Scripture does not record Palti’s personal words. The broader narrative reveals that ten spies brought back a faithless, discouraging report (Numbers 13:31–33), leading to Israel’s forty years of wilderness wandering. By implication, Palti appears to have aligned with that majority. If so, his life provides a sober warning about the cost of unbelief: forfeiture of immediate entrance into God’s promise and eventual death in the wilderness with his generation (Numbers 14:29–30). Palti Son of Laish (also called Paltiel): Husband of Michal “But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim.” (1 Samuel 25:44) After David fled Saul’s court, the king broke covenant by giving Michal to another man. Palti thus entered a complicated marriage that Scripture views as illegitimate because Michal was already David’s lawful spouse (1 Samuel 18:27). Years later, when David demanded Michal’s return as a condition of peace, Ishbosheth complied: “So Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel son of Laish.” (2 Samuel 3:15). The next verse paints a poignant scene: Palti followed her “weeping all the way” until ordered home by Abner. Palti’s grief is striking—he loved Michal sincerely—yet the narrative emphasizes David’s rightful claim and the need to restore what Saul had unlawfully severed. Palti’s sorrow illustrates the painful consequences of sin and political manipulation: innocent people suffer when God-ordained covenants are violated. Theological and Historical Reflections 1. Covenant Faithfulness. In both accounts the name Palti stands in contrast to actual outcomes. The spy named “deliverance” participated in a report that delayed Israel’s deliverance; the husband named “deliverance” was required to relinquish Michal so that covenant order could be restored. God’s purposes, however, were not thwarted. Israel still inherited the land, and David’s kingship—through which ultimate Deliverance would come—was safeguarded. Ministry Implications and Lessons • Guard the report you bring. Leaders profoundly shape the faith or fear of those who follow them (Numbers 13–14; Hebrews 3:12–19). Forms and Transliterations לְפַלְטִ֥י לפלטי פַּלְטִ֖י פלטי lə·p̄al·ṭî lefalTi ləp̄alṭî pal·ṭî palTi palṭîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 13:9 HEB: לְמַטֵּ֣ה בִנְיָמִ֔ן פַּלְטִ֖י בֶּן־ רָפֽוּא׃ NAS: of Benjamin, Palti the son KJV: of Benjamin, Palti the son INT: the tribe of Benjamin Palti the son of Raphu 1 Samuel 25:44 2 Occurrences |
    |