### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Palluʼîy**, represented by `{{H6384}}`, is a patronymic term used to identify the **Palluites**, defined as the descendants of Pallu. It appears just **1 time** in **1 unique verse**, signifying its very specific function within biblical genealogy. The word is derived directly from the proper name Pallu `{{H6396}}` to denote his specific family line.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H6384}}` is found in the census of the Israelite tribes recorded in the book of Numbers. The verse is part of a detailed genealogical list outlining the families that descended from Reuben, the eldest son of Israel `{{H3478}}`. The text states, "of Pallu, the family of the **Palluites**" [[Numbers 26:5]]. This usage clearly and concisely establishes the Palluites as a distinct clan within the larger tribe of Reuben, linking them directly to their patriarch.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide the genealogical framework for understanding **Palluʼîy**:
* `{{H6396}}` **Pallûwʼ** (distinguished; Pallu, an Israelite; Pallu, Phallu): This is the individual from whom the Palluites descend. He is named as a son of Reuben `{{H7205}}` in the lists of Israel's sons [[Exodus 6:14]].
* `{{H4940}}` **mishpâchâh** (a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red)): This Hebrew word for **family** or clan is used to formally designate the Palluites as a recognized lineage within Israel [[Numbers 26:5]].
* `{{H7205}}` **Rᵉʼûwbên** (Reuben, a son of Jacob): As the head of the tribe, **Reuben** is the patriarch through whom the Palluite family line is traced. The sons of Reuben are listed as Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi [[1 Chronicles 5:3]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense): This foundational word for **son** or **children** is used to construct the entire lineage, identifying the Palluites as part of "the **children** of Reuben" [[Numbers 26:5]].
### Theological Significance
While not a term of deep theological complexity, the function of `{{H6384}}` points to important biblical principles.
* **Genealogical Integrity:** The existence of a specific term for Pallu's descendants underscores the meticulous care taken to preserve the identity of each family line within Israel. This act of naming and counting affirmed each family's place.
* **Tribal Order:** The word helps define the internal structure of the nation. The account in [[Numbers 26:5]] lists the family of the Hanochites `{{H2599}}` and the family of the **Palluites** `{{H6384}}` as distinct but related units, showing how larger tribes were composed of specific clans.
* **Covenantal Inclusion:** Being formally named in the census of Israel `{{H3478}}` signifies that the Palluites were officially recognized as members of the covenant community, with all the associated identity and heritage that entailed.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6384}}` **Palluʼîy** is a precise patronymic whose importance lies in its function. It is not a word for broad interpretation but a label for a specific lineage: the descendants of Pallu within the tribe of Reuben. Its single use in scripture is a clear example of the biblical emphasis on genealogical order and the structured way in which every family unit was recorded as part of the nation of Israel.
TRV