פַּלְטִי (pal.ti)
pal.ti
Palti
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Palti means "my deliverance." It appears in two distinct biblical contexts, linking a wilderness generation with the early monarchy. In Numbers 13:9, Palti son of Raphu is identified as one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan from the tribe of Benjamin.
Centuries later, the name resurfaces as Palti son of Laish, who becomes the second husband of Michal. King Saul gave her to him in marriage while David was in exile, a political move that complicated their subsequent relationship (1 Samuel 25:44). The Hebrew text sometimes refers to this same man as Paltiel, adding the divine element "El" to the root meaning.
Though these two individuals are separated by generations and likely unrelated, the recurrence of the name highlights a theme of rescue or safety. Palti the spy represents the initial hope for the land, while Palti son of Laish is caught in the turbulent transition of power between Saul’s house and David’s reign.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Palti carries the simple but powerful meaning of "my deliverance." In Scripture, names often reflect a prayer or a reality that God is bringing into our lives. When we see this name attached to individuals in moments of uncertainty, it reminds us that rescue is part of God's character.
One bearer of this name was a spy sent to explore the land, representing hope for the future. Another was a man caught in the political shifts of King Saul’s court, whose life was tangled with the rise of David. Though their stories are brief, they show how God’s deliverance can appear in unexpected places and times.
For you, this word invites trust. Deliverance is not always a dramatic escape from danger; sometimes it is the quiet preservation of your place in God’s plan, even when circumstances feel out of control. You can rest in the knowledge that He who delivers is faithful to His promises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ Palti1×
- Palti1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פַּלְטִ֖י1×
- לְ/פַלְטִ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 13:9
Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
This verse identifies Palti as a spy from Benjamin, linking the name to the initial hope and reconnaissance of the promised land.
-
I Samuel 25:44
Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.
Here the name appears in the context of political upheaval, showing how deliverance and personal life intersect during times of royal transition.