or פָּלִיא; from פָּלָא; remarkable; secret, wonderful.
Transliteration:pilʼîy
Pronunciation:pil-ee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy, `{{H6383}}`) is an adjective derived from the root פָּלָא (pālāʼ, `{{H6381}}`), which means "to be wonderful, marvelous, extraordinary, difficult to understand or perform." As such, פִּלְאִי carries the core semantic range of "remarkable," "wonderful," "extraordinary," and "incomprehensible." It denotes something that is beyond ordinary human comprehension, explanation, or capability, often implying a divine origin or involvement. The nuance of "secret" or "hidden" arises from this incomprehensibility; something is secret because its nature or cause is beyond human grasp, making it truly wondrous or astonishing. This word inherently points to that which transcends the mundane and enters the realm of the miraculous or divinely unique.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy, `{{H6383}}`) appears in a few significant contexts within the Hebrew Bible, each shedding light on its profound meaning:
* **[[Deuteronomy 28:59]]**: "Then the Lord will bring on you and your descendants extraordinary plagues, severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and lasting sicknesses." Here, פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy) describes the *nature* of the plagues God will inflict as a consequence of disobedience. They are not merely severe, but "extraordinary" or "wonderful" in their intensity and duration, implying a divine hand behind their exceptional character. This usage underscores God's power to bring about judgments that defy natural explanation.
* **[[Lamentations 1:9]]**: "Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she remembered not her latter end; therefore she came down wonderfully (or, astonishingly): she had no comforter. O Lord, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself." In this lament over Jerusalem's destruction, פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy) describes the *manner* of the city's fall. It was not a gradual decline but an "astonishing" or "wonderfully" swift and devastating collapse, highlighting the shocking and overwhelming nature of the divine judgment upon the city.
* **[[Psalm 139:6]]**: "Such knowledge is too wonderful (פִּלְאִי) for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it." This is perhaps the most profound usage. David reflects on God's omniscience and omnipresence, particularly God's intimate knowledge of his innermost being. This divine knowledge is described as "too wonderful" or "too extraordinary" for human comprehension. It transcends human intellect and capacity, evoking a sense of awe and humility before the infinite wisdom of God.
Across these contexts, פִּלְאִי consistently points to something that is exceptionally remarkable, often beyond human expectation or understanding, and frequently linked to the direct action or attribute of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy, `{{H6383}}`) is intimately connected to its verbal root פָּלָא (pālāʼ, `{{H6381}}`), which signifies "to be wonderful, perform a miracle, be incomprehensible." From this root also derives the noun פֶּלֶא (peleʼ, `{{H6382}}`), meaning "wonder" or "miracle." While פֶּלֶא (peleʼ) refers to the *deed* or *event* itself (e.g., God's "wonders" in Egypt), פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy) functions more adjectivally to describe the *quality* of something as being wondrous, extraordinary, or incomprehensible.
Related concepts include:
* **Divine Omniscience and Omnipotence:** The word often describes the attributes of God that are beyond human grasp, such as His all-knowing nature (as in [[Psalm 139:6]]) and His ability to perform acts that defy natural explanation.
* **Miracles and Supernatural Acts:** The "wonderful" nature implied by פִּלְאִי is often associated with God's intervention in the natural order, manifesting His power and presence.
* **The Incomprehensibility of God:** This term underscores the profound mystery of God's being, His ways, and His knowledge, which are ultimately beyond full human apprehension. It aligns with the idea of "secret things" belonging to the Lord our God ([[Deuteronomy 29:29]]).
* **Awe and Reverence:** Encountering that which is פִּלְאִי naturally evokes a sense of profound awe, humility, and reverence before the divine.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy, `{{H6383}}`) is profound, primarily serving to highlight the transcendence and incomprehensibility of God. When something is described as פִּלְאִי, it is set apart as extraordinary, not merely unusual, but often divinely orchestrated or characteristic of God Himself.
1. **God's Transcendence:** The term emphasizes that God's nature, knowledge, and actions are fundamentally *other* than human. His wisdom is "too wonderful" ([[Psalm 139:6]]) to be fully grasped by finite minds, pointing to His infinite and unapproachable majesty.
2. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** When applied to plagues or the fall of a city ([[Deuteronomy 28:59]], [[Lamentations 1:9]]), פִּלְאִי underscores the severity and divine origin of God's judgments. They are not random misfortunes but "wonderful" in their execution, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and His capacity to bring about astonishing consequences for sin.
3. **Inspiration of Awe:** The "wonderful" nature of God's attributes and deeds is meant to inspire awe and worship. It reminds humanity of its created status and God's unique position as the Creator and Sustainer, whose ways are beyond full human understanding. This fosters a posture of humility and trust, acknowledging that God operates on a level far surpassing human wisdom or power.
In essence, פִּלְאִי serves as a linguistic marker for the divine, signaling something that is not just impressive, but imbued with a quality that points directly to the extraordinary nature of God Himself.
### Summary
פִּלְאִי (pilʼîy, `{{H6383}}`) is a significant Hebrew adjective meaning "remarkable," "wonderful," or "incomprehensible." Derived from the root פָּלָא (pālāʼ, `{{H6381}}`), it consistently describes that which is extraordinary and beyond human understanding or capability, often in direct relation to God's attributes or actions. Its use in passages like [[Deuteronomy 28:59]], [[Lamentations 1:9]], and especially [[Psalm 139:6]] highlights God's transcendent knowledge, His sovereign power in judgment, and the profound mystery of His being. Theologically, פִּלְאִי underscores the incomprehensibility of God, evoking a deep sense of awe and humility before His divine majesty and His works, which are truly wonderful and beyond human measure.
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