English · KJV
H6395

פָּלָה

pâlâh /paw-law'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto distinguish (literally or figuratively)
KJV usageput a difference, show marvellous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pâlâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word pâlâh, represented by H6395, is a primitive root used to describe the act of distinguishing or separating in a wonderful or marvelous way. Appearing 7 times in 7 unique verses, its meaning encompasses putting a difference, severing, setting apart, and making wonderfully.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H6395 is used to illustrate God's direct and powerful intervention. It is a key term in the book of Exodus, where the LORD repeatedly acts to sever or put a difference between the Israelites and the Egyptians. This is seen in the protection of Israel's cattle Exodus 9:4, the land of Goshen from swarms of flies Exodus 8:22, and even the people themselves from harm Exodus 11:7. The purpose of this separation is so that God's power would be known Exodus 8:22. The word also expresses a deep sense of personal creation and divine favor, as when the psalmist declares he is "fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalms 139:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context and meaning of being set apart:

  • H6381 pâlâʼ (to be... wonderful): This closely related root emphasizes the marvelous nature of God's actions. In Psalms 139:14, the psalmist is "wonderfully made" H6395 and declares that God's works are "marvellous" H6381.
  • H2623 châçîyd (godly): This term identifies the object of God's separation. The LORD "hath set apart" H6395 the one who is godly H2623 for Himself, promising to hear his call Psalms 4:3.
  • H3045 yâdaʻ (to know): God's acts of separation often serve as a sign. In Exodus, God puts a difference between Israel and Egypt so that Pharaoh may know that He is the LORD (Exodus 8:22, Exodus 11:7).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6395 is significant, highlighting several key themes.

  • Divine Separation: The word establishes God's sovereign ability to make a distinction between His people and the world. This is not merely a physical separation, but a clear sign of His protective presence and covenant relationship Exodus 33:16.
  • Marvelous Lovingkindness: The act of setting apart is an expression of God's character. His lovingkindness is described as marvellous H6395, demonstrated in the way He saves those who trust in Him Psalms 17:7.
  • Wondrous Creation: The term extends from God's acts in history to His work in creation. The formation of a human being is described as being wonderfully made, a truth the soul knoweth right well Psalms 139:14.

Summary

In summary, H6395 is a powerful word that conveys God's authority to distinguish and set apart. It is used to describe His decisive acts of deliverance for Israel, His personal selection of the godly, and the intricate wonder of His creation. From separating nations during the plagues of Egypt to forming an individual, pâlâh reveals a God who acts in marvelous ways to make His power and favor known.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 7 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • הִפְלֵיתִי
  • הִפְלָה
  • הַפְלֵה
  • יַפְלֶה
  • הִפְלָה
  • נִפְלֵינוּ
  • נִפְלֵיתִי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6381 פָּלָא a primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (ca H2623 חָסִיד from חָסַד; properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a saint); godly (man), good, holy (one), merciful, saint, (un-) go H3045 יָדַע a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 7 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Exodus (4 verses); never once in the other 37.

4
Exodus
3
Psalms

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.