פְּלַלְיָה (pe.lal.yah)
pe.lal.yah
Pelaliah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Pelaliah is a proper name found only once in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Nehemiah 11:12 among the list of officials who returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem. The name means "Jehovah has judged," reflecting a common theological pattern where divine action is embedded in personal identity. In this specific context, Pelaliah is identified as the son of Amzi and the father of Jeroham, placing him within the priestly lineage that helped restore religious order in the post-exilic community.
While the narrative does not record any deeds or speeches by Pelaliah himself, his inclusion in this genealogy highlights the importance of ancestral continuity for the restored temple service. The sources note his role as an ancestor to Adaiah, another priest mentioned in the same chapter. This brief mention serves as a link in the chain of stewardship, connecting the pre-exilic priesthood with the renewed worship practices established under Nehemiah’s leadership.
The name itself carries weight beyond mere identification. By naming their children with references to God’s judgment or salvation, families affirmed their belief that history was guided by divine sovereignty. Pelaliah’s single appearance reminds readers that behind the grand political and religious reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah stood countless individuals whose faithful lineage sustained the community through periods of displacement and return.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Pelaliah means 'Jehovah has judged.' It appears only once in the Bible, tucked inside a list of names in Nehemiah 11:12. This verse records the descendants of priests who returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem. We do not know his personal story, but his name reminds us that God’s justice and guidance are woven into history.
Genealogies often feel like dry lists, yet they show how families preserved their faith through hard times. Pelaliah was part of a priestly line that helped restore worship in the temple. His inclusion highlights the value of ancestry and continuity in maintaining spiritual order after displacement.
This single mention connects us to a larger story of restoration. It shows that God uses ordinary people and their families to build something lasting. We can find comfort in knowing that our own lives are part of God’s ongoing plan, even when we are not famous or well-known.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Pelaliah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּלַלְיָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 11:12
and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,
This verse identifies Pelaliah as an ancestor in the priestly line of Adaiah, showing his role in the restored temple service.