Lexical Summary Palal: Palal Original Word: פָלָל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Palal From palal; judge; Palal, an Israelite -- Palal. see HEBREW palal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom palal Definition a builder of the Jer. wall NASB Translation Palal (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָּלָל proper name, masculine a wall-builder Nehemiah 3:25, Φαλαλ, א Φαλακ, A Φαλαξ, ᵐ5L Φαλλη. Topical Lexicon Name and Single Occurrence Palal appears once in Scripture, in Nehemiah 3:25, where he is recorded among those repairing Jerusalem’s wall after the exile. Historical Context: Post-Exilic Restoration Nehemiah returned from Persia around 445 B.C. with royal permission to rebuild the shattered defenses of Jerusalem. Chapter 3 catalogs more than forty distinct work assignments, revealing a carefully organized, covenant-driven community effort. Palal’s contribution is placed near the Ophel, a vulnerable point between the “buttress” and the “tower projecting from the upper palace” (Nehemiah 3:25), underscoring both the strategic and symbolic importance of his labor. Role in Rebuilding the Wall Although nothing further is recorded of Palal, the inspired text grants him permanent recognition. By naming him, Scripture affirms that every obedient act, even by otherwise unknown believers, is indispensable to God’s redemptive plan. Together, these workers not only restored stone and timber but re-established covenant identity, security for worship, and hope for future generations (compare Nehemiah 6:15-16; Ezra 6:14). Spiritual Significance of the Name The consonantal form p-l-l overlaps with the prayer verb “to intercede” found elsewhere (e.g., 1 Samuel 1:12). While the proper name Palal functions here simply as an identifier, it subtly evokes themes of intercession and judgment—fitting motifs for a generation pleading for mercy while setting righteous boundaries. Thus his inclusion hints that rebuilding requires both physical action and prayerful dependence. Ministry Lessons 1. Every member matters: Just as Palal’s single verse affirms his worth, so the New Testament teaches that each believer is “a living stone” in a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). Messianic and Ecclesiological Reflections The repaired wall foreshadows the security provided by the Messiah, who “will be called…Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). In Christ, believers become both the city and the builders (Ephesians 2:19-22). Palal’s service thus anticipates the cooperative, Spirit-empowered work of the body of Christ as it “builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16). Related Scriptures Nehemiah 3:1-32; Nehemiah 6:15-16; Ezra 6:14; 1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:19-22; Ephesians 4:16; James 5:16; Colossians 3:23-24; Isaiah 9:6. Summary Palal’s solitary mention serves as a perpetual witness that God records and rewards humble faithfulness. Though historically tied to one stone section of Jerusalem’s wall, his name challenges every generation to unite prayer and diligent service in the ongoing work of building the kingdom. Forms and Transliterations פָּלָ֣ל פלל pā·lāl paLal pālālLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 3:25 HEB: פָּלָ֣ל בֶּן־ אוּזַי֮ NAS: Palal the son of Uzai KJV: Palal the son of Uzai, INT: Palal the son of Uzai |
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