from πλάσσω; a moulding-board, i.e. flat surface ("plate", or tablet, literally or figuratively):--table.
Transliteration:pláx
Pronunciation:plax
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term G4109 (πλάξ, *plax*) fundamentally denotes a "flat surface," "plate," or "tablet." Its etymological root lies in the verb πλάσσω (plassō) `{{G4111}}`, meaning "to mold," "to form," or "to shape." This etymology suggests a surface that has been intentionally flattened or prepared, often for the purpose of inscription. In its most prominent biblical usage, πλάξ specifically refers to the tablets of stone upon which the divine Law was inscribed, highlighting a durable and unyielding medium for significant communication. While its base definition allows for a broader semantic range of any flat surface, its New Testament occurrences narrow its meaning to these sacred objects.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πλάξ appears exclusively twice in the New Testament, both instances occurring within the same verse in the book of Hebrews:
* [[Hebrews 9:4]]: "having the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden jar holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant."
In this passage, πλάξ refers unequivocally to the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, which were placed within the Ark of the Covenant. The author of Hebrews is meticulously detailing the contents of the earthly tabernacle's most sacred compartment, the Holy of Holies, to underscore its symbolic significance in relation to the new covenant established by Christ. The mention of "the tablets of the covenant" directly references the Old Testament accounts of God's giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai (e.g., [[Exodus 31:18]], [[Deuteronomy 4:13]]). The context emphasizes the physical objects that served as tangible representations of God's divine revelation and His covenant with Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary conceptual link for πλάξ is with the Hebrew term לוּחַ (luach) `{{H3871}}`, which is consistently translated as "tablet" or "board" in the Old Testament, particularly in reference to the tablets of the Law (e.g., [[Exodus 24:12]], [[Deuteronomy 9:10]]). The Greek Septuagint also frequently uses πλάξ to translate לוּחַ in these contexts.
Beyond direct translation, πλάξ is conceptually related to:
* **Divine Inscription:** The act of God writing His Law, emphasizing divine authorship and authority.
* **Covenant:** The tablets are explicitly called "tablets of the covenant," signifying the binding agreement between God and His people.
* **Testimony:** Often referred to as "tablets of testimony," underscoring their role as a witness to God's will and Israel's obligations.
* **Holiness:** As objects housed within the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, the tablets were imbued with profound sacredness.
* **Permanence:** The use of stone as a medium implies an enduring, immutable quality to the Law inscribed upon them, contrasting with more perishable forms of writing.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πλάξ is profound, despite its limited New Testament occurrences. It serves as a potent symbol of:
* **Divine Revelation and Law:** The tablets represent the foundational revelation of God's moral and ethical demands for humanity. They embody the objective, external standard of righteousness against which humanity is measured.
* **The Old Covenant:** The presence of the πλάξ in the Ark within the earthly tabernacle highlights the physical, tangible nature of the Old Covenant, which was based on written statutes and external observances.
* **God's Immutability:** The stone tablets, being durable and resistant to decay, symbolize the unchanging nature of God's character and His eternal principles. The Law inscribed upon them was not transient but enduring.
* **Precursor to the New Covenant:** While πλάξ itself is not used in passages discussing the New Covenant, its presence in Hebrews sets the stage for the contrast between the external, written Law and the internal, spiritual Law of the New Covenant, which is written "not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts" (cf. [[2 Corinthians 3:3]]). This contrast underscores the shift from a covenant of external regulation to one of internal transformation by the Spirit.
* **God's Presence:** The tablets were stored within the Ark, which was the mercy seat, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people and the proximity of His Law to His very presence.
### Summary
The Greek word G4109 (πλάξ, *plax*) denotes a "flat surface" or "tablet," specifically referring in the New Testament to the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were inscribed. Its two occurrences in [[Hebrews 9:4]] firmly place it within the context of the Old Covenant's most sacred artifacts, the contents of the Ark of the Covenant. The πλάξ thus symbolizes the divine origin, permanence, and foundational nature of God's Law and His covenant with Israel. It serves as a tangible representation of God's direct revelation and provides a crucial historical and theological backdrop against which the superiority and transformative power of the New Covenant in Christ are illuminated.
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