### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **pelach**, represented by `{{H6400}}`, means a **slice** or **piece**. It appears **6 times** across **6 unique verses** in the Bible. This term is used to describe a fragment or portion of a larger object, whether it be food, a tool, or a fruit.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H6400}}` is used in several distinct contexts. It can describe a life-saving portion of food, as when a famished Egyptian is given "a **piece** of a cake of figs" to restore his spirit [[1 Samuel 30:12]]. It is also used as an instrument of deadly force; Abimelech is killed when a woman casts a "**piece** of a millstone" on his head from a wall ([[Judges 9:53]], [[2 Samuel 11:21]]). The term is also used poetically in Song of Solomon, where the beloved's temples are compared to "a **piece** of a pomegranate" ([[Song of Solomon 4:3]], [[Song of Solomon 6:7]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help contextualize the meaning of a "piece":
* `{{H7393}}` **rekeb** (millstone): This is the object from which a deadly **piece** is broken. It is a heavy, hard object used for grinding, and a fragment of it proves fatal to Abimelech [[Judges 9:53]] and serves as a metaphor for a hard heart [[Job 41:24]].
* `{{H7416}}` **rimmôwn** (pomegranate): This fruit provides the basis for the poetic imagery in Song of Solomon, where a **piece** of it is used to describe the comely temples of the beloved [[Song of Solomon 4:3]].
* `{{H1690}}` **dᵉbêlâh** (cake of figs): This is the food item from which a **piece** is given to restore a dying man, illustrating the word's connection to sustenance and provision [[1 Samuel 30:12]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H6400}}` is seen in its varied applications, where a small fragment holds great importance.
* **Instrument of Judgment:** A **piece** of a millstone becomes a decisive weapon, used by a woman to execute judgment upon the wicked king Abimelech, demonstrating how God can use humble means to achieve his purposes ([[Judges 9:53]], [[2 Samuel 11:21]]).
* **Symbol of Provision:** In a moment of desperation, a single **piece** of a fig cake is sufficient to revive a man from the brink of death, illustrating how even a small portion can be life-giving [[1 Samuel 30:12]].
* **Metaphorical Weight:** The word is employed in similes to convey both delicate beauty ("a **piece** of a pomegranate") and unyielding hardness ("a **piece** of the nether millstone"), showing its role in creating vivid biblical imagery ([[Song of Solomon 4:3]], [[Job 41:24]]).
### Summary
In summary, **pelach** `{{H6400}}` is a specific term for a slice or piece that carries surprising weight in its few appearances. From a fragment of a millstone used in judgment to a portion of food that saves a life, the word illustrates that the significance of an object is not always in its wholeness, but in the impact of its individual parts. It serves as a literal fragment, a life-giving provision, and a powerful poetic device.
TRV