a primitive root; to distinguish (literally or figuratively); put a difference, show marvellous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully.
Transliteration:pâlâh
Pronunciation:paw-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H6395 (pâlâh) is a primitive root carrying the fundamental sense of *distinction* or *separation*. Its semantic range encompasses the act of setting something apart, making a difference between entities, or severing one from another. Crucially, the definition also extends to the idea of "showing marvelous" or "making wonderfully." This suggests that the distinction conveyed by H6395 is not merely a simple separation, but often one that highlights uniqueness, divine intervention, or an extraordinary, awe-inspiring quality. It implies an action that causes something or someone to stand out in a remarkable or exceptional way, often evoking wonder or admiration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H6395 in the Hebrew Bible primarily fall into two distinct but related categories: divine separation and divine wonder.
In the book of Exodus, H6395 is used to describe God's deliberate act of distinguishing Israel from Egypt during the plagues:
* In [[Exodus 8:22]] (MT 8:18), the Lord declares, "I will make a distinction (פָּלָה) between My people and your people." This refers to the plague of flies, where Goshen, the land of Israel, was spared.
* Similarly, [[Exodus 9:4]] states, "the LORD will make a distinction (פָּלָה) between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt," preventing the plague on livestock from affecting the Israelites.
* And in [[Exodus 11:7]], Moses proclaims that "the LORD makes a distinction (פָּלָה) between Egypt and Israel" even in the final, most devastating plague. In these contexts, H6395 emphasizes God's sovereign power to protect His chosen people by setting them apart from judgment, demonstrating His unique relationship with them. The distinction is clear, visible, and miraculous.
In the Psalms, the word shifts in nuance towards divine wonder and extraordinary action:
* [[Psalm 17:7]] implores, "Show Your marvelous (פָּלָה) lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them." Here, H6395 describes God's extraordinary and wondrous steadfast love, which uniquely distinguishes Him as the deliverer.
* Perhaps most famously, [[Psalm 139:14]] declares, "I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully (פָּלָה) made; Your works are wonderful, And my soul knows it very well." This profound verse uses H6395 to express the intricate, unique, and awe-inspiring manner in which God creates human beings. It speaks to the miraculous and distinct nature of each individual, highlighting divine craftsmanship.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of H6395 (pâlâh) intersects with several other significant Hebrew terms and theological ideas:
* **Separation and Holiness:** The root H914 (badal), meaning "to divide, separate, distinguish," is a close semantic parallel, often used for ritual separation or physical division. The broader concept of holiness (H6944 - qodesh) inherently involves being "set apart" for God's exclusive use, echoing the distinguishing aspect of H6395.
* **Wonder and Miracle:** H6395 is closely related to H6381 (pâlâ'), a verb meaning "to be wonderful, marvelous, difficult, extraordinary," and its noun form H6382 (pele'), meaning "wonder, miracle." While H6381 emphasizes the extraordinary nature of an act, H6395 often points to the *act of making* something wonderful or *distinguishing* it in a marvelous way. The shared root highlights the divine origin and awe-inspiring character of such acts.
* **Divine Election and Covenant:** God's acts of "distinguishing" His people (as seen in Exodus) are foundational to the concept of divine election and His covenant relationship with Israel. He sets them apart not based on their merit, but on His sovereign choice and purpose.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6395 (pâlâh) is profound, revealing key aspects of God's character and His relationship with humanity:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Election:** The repeated use in Exodus underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His power to choose and protect His people. He *distinguishes* Israel from the nations, demonstrating His unique covenantal love and purposeful election. This highlights that salvation and protection are initiated by God's unilateral will.
* **The Uniqueness of God and His Works:** When H6395 describes God's "marvelous lovingkindness" or the "wonderfully made" nature of creation, it emphasizes that God's actions are extraordinary, unparalleled, and beyond human comprehension. They *distinguish* Him as the one true and living God, whose power and wisdom are infinite. Miracles, in this sense, are not merely supernatural events but are God's way of marking out His presence and power in a way that evokes awe.
* **Human Dignity and Value:** The declaration in [[Psalm 139:14]] that humanity is "fearfully and wonderfully made" imbues every individual with inherent dignity and immense value. It speaks to the meticulous, unique, and awe-inspiring craftsmanship of God in creating each person, setting humanity apart within creation as a masterpiece of divine design. This distinction underscores the sacredness of human life.
* **Redemption and Separation from Judgment:** God's act of distinguishing Israel from Egypt in the plagues is a powerful metaphor for redemption. He separates His people from the judgment intended for the unrighteous, prefiguring the ultimate salvation offered through Christ, where believers are set apart from the condemnation of sin.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6395 (pâlâh) is a rich and dynamic term, signifying a profound act of *distinction* or *separation*. Its usage reveals God's sovereign power to set apart His people for protection and salvation, as dramatically illustrated in the Exodus narratives. Beyond mere separation, H6395 also conveys the idea of something being *marvelous* or *wonderfully* made or done, emphasizing the extraordinary and awe-inspiring nature of God's works, whether in the intricate design of human beings (`{{H6395}}` in [[Psalm 139:14]]) or His unique lovingkindness (`{{H6395}}` in [[Psalm 17:7]]). Ultimately, H6395 underscores divine sovereignty, the concept of election, and the unique, awe-inspiring character of God, who distinguishes Himself and His chosen ones through His marvelous and extraordinary deeds.
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