פָּלַג (pa.lag)
pa.lag
to divide
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb palag carries the core meaning of dividing or splitting something into parts. It appears in only three verses, yet it captures a decisive act of separation. In Genesis 15:10, Abram cuts animals in two, creating a physical split that serves as the basis for a solemn covenant ritual. This usage highlights the word’s concrete nature: it describes making a clear break between two entities.
Beyond physical cutting, the term extends to abstract divisions. In Job 37:10, it describes how cold freezes water, effectively dividing or hardening its surface. Meanwhile, in 1 Chronicles 12:38, it refers to people uniting with a single purpose, though the root sense of bringing distinct groups into one aligned body remains visible. The word distinguishes itself by focusing on the result of the division rather than the method used to achieve it.
Its theological weight lies in its association with covenant-making and natural order. When used for cutting animals, it underscores the seriousness of the agreement being formed. Translators often render it as "cut" or "divide," depending on whether the context is physical or metaphorical. The word reminds readers that biblical covenants often involve tangible actions that seal spiritual commitments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word palag describes a decisive act of dividing or splitting something into parts. In Genesis 10:25, it appears in the name Peleg, meaning division, referencing a time when the earth was divided. This usage highlights how biblical history often marks significant shifts through tangible events that separate one era from another.
Beyond historical records, this verb captures the power of natural forces to create boundaries. Job 38:25 asks who cuts a channel for the floodwaters, showing God’s sovereignty over the physical world’s structure. Such divisions are not random but part of an ordered design where water finds its path and land takes its shape.
For your faith, this reminds us that God establishes boundaries with purpose. Whether in history or nature, these acts reflect His control and intentionality. You can trust that even when life feels fragmented, the One who divides also brings order and meaning to what He creates.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it was divided1×
- does he divide1×
- <it> was divided1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִפְלְגָ֣ה2×
- פִלַּ֣ג1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:25
To Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan.
This verse links the name Peleg to a historical division of the earth, showing how the word marks significant geopolitical or geographical shifts in biblical narrative.
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Job 38:25
Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm,
Here God asks who cuts a channel for water, using the verb to emphasize divine sovereignty over natural forces and the creation of order from chaos.
-
I Chronicles 1:19
To Eber were born two sons: the name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother’s name was Joktan.
This parallel account reinforces the historical significance of Peleg’s name, confirming that the division was a notable event remembered across generations.