פָּלִיל (pa.lil)
pa.lil
judge
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun pilil denotes a judge or an act of judgment, carrying the specific sense of making an assessment or reaching an estimate. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only three times, primarily in poetic and legal contexts such as Job 36:17, Exodus 23:8, and Deuteronomy 25:1. Its usage highlights the intellectual weight of judicial decisions, focusing on the careful weighing of evidence rather than just the pronouncement of a verdict.
Unlike broader terms for authority, pilil emphasizes the cognitive process of evaluation. It suggests that true judgment requires discernment and fairness, as seen in Deuteronomy 25:1 where judges must justify the innocent and condemn the guilty based on accurate assessment. The word reminds readers that justice is not arbitrary but relies on a measured, thoughtful estimation of right and wrong.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This Hebrew word points to the careful assessment behind a decision. It is not just about handing down a verdict, but about weighing evidence with precision and fairness. When we face conflicts or difficult choices in our own lives, this concept invites us to slow down and seek clarity rather than rushing to judgment.
In Deuteronomy 25:1, judges are called to justify the innocent and condemn the guilty based on accurate assessment. This reminds us that true justice requires discernment. We can apply this by approaching our own decisions with a spirit of fairness, ensuring we consider all sides before forming an opinion.
God’s wisdom calls us to evaluate situations thoughtfully. By seeking His guidance, we can navigate conflicts with integrity and peace, reflecting the careful heart of God in our daily interactions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- judges1×
- for/ [the] estimate1×
- assessments1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּלִילִֽים\׃2×
- בִּ/פְלִלִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 21:22
“If men fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely, and yet no harm follows, he shall be surely fined as much as the woman’s husband demands and the judges allow.
Here the term appears in a legal context, showing how fines are determined through the allowance of judges who weigh the circumstances.
-
Job 31:11
For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,
The word underscores the intellectual weight of judicial decisions, framing adultery as an iniquity to be punished by the judges after careful consideration.