פׇּלְחָן (pol.chan)
pol.chan
service
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun polchan refers to the act of serving or worshipping, particularly in a formal religious context. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ezra 7:19, where it describes the sacred vessels and utensils provided for the temple service. This singular usage highlights its connection to the organized, liturgical duties performed within the sanctuary.
While often translated as "service," the term carries a specific weight related to worship and ritual obligation. It is not merely general labor but denotes the dedicated ministry required by God’s house. The context in Ezra underscores the importance of proper equipment and order in maintaining this sacred service, reflecting the community's commitment to restoring their religious practices after exile.
Its rarity makes it a specialized term within biblical Hebrew, reserved for describing the structured worship life of Israel. By focusing on the tangible aspects of temple ministry, such as the vessels mentioned in Ezra, polchan reminds readers that worship involves both spiritual devotion and practical stewardship of God’s resources.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word polchan appears just once in the Old Testament, found in Ezra 7:19. It refers to the sacred vessels and utensils provided for the service of God’s house. This rare term highlights how worship involves both spiritual devotion and practical stewardship. The community’s commitment to restoring their religious practices after exile is reflected in the careful provision of these items.
For your faith, this reminds us that serving God includes tangible acts of care and order. Whether in a temple or a modern church, the tools we use for ministry matter. Polchan shows that worship is not just about feelings but also about the dedicated work we do with what God has given us. It invites us to view our resources as part of our service.
This perspective encourages a balanced view of Christian life. We honor God through prayer and praise, but also through the practical tasks that support our community. By stewarding our time, talents, and materials with care, we participate in the ongoing work of worship. It is a call to faithful, everyday obedience.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- for/ [the] worship of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/פָלְחָ֖ן1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 7:19
The vessels that are given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.
This verse specifies the sacred vessels given for the service of God's house, illustrating polchan's connection to liturgical equipment and organized worship duties.