### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **pᵉlîylâh**, represented by `{{H6415}}`, denotes **justice** or **judgment**. As the feminine form of `pâlîyl`, it is a highly specific term. It appears only **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, making its single usage particularly significant.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H6415}}` is found in [[Isaiah 16:3]], in the direct command to "execute **judgment**." This places the word in a context of decisive action and moral responsibility. The verse commands the reader not only to perform this act of justice but also to take counsel, provide protection for outcasts, and offer refuge to the wandering. The use of **judgment** here is not abstract; it is a tangible, commanded action with direct consequences for the vulnerable.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller understanding of the context surrounding **pᵉlîylâh**:
* `{{H6414}}` **pâlîyl** (a magistrate; judge): This is the masculine form from which `{{H6415}}` is derived. It refers to the one who makes a ruling or determination, as seen in cases requiring payment to be determined by the **judges** [[Exodus 21:22]].
* `{{H6098}}` **ʻêtsâh** (advice; by implication, plan; also prudence; advice, advisement, counsel(l-(or)), purpose): This word is used directly alongside `{{H6415}}` in the command to "Take **counsel**, execute judgment" [[Isaiah 16:3]]. It underscores that proper judgment is preceded by wise counsel, whether it is the counsel of men or the **counsel** of the LORD [[Proverbs 19:21]].
* `{{H6213}}` **ʻâsâh** (to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application): This verb is translated as "execute" in [[Isaiah 16:3]], linking **judgment** to a direct action. It is used throughout scripture for God's work, such as when He **made** the heavens and the earth [[Jeremiah 32:17]], and for man's required actions, such as the command **to do** justly [[Micah 6:8]].
* `{{H935}}` **bôwʼ** (to go or come): Translated as "Take" in [[Isaiah 16:3]], this root word initiates the command to seek counsel. It is also used to signify God granting a request [[1 Chronicles 4:10]] or the certain arrival of a prophetic vision [[Habakkuk 2:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H6415}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful usage:
* **Judgment as an Action:** The word is paired with the verb "execute" `{{H6213}}`, framing justice not as a passive state but as an imperative act that must be performed. This aligns with the broader biblical call to actively **do** good [[Psalms 14:3]] and observe God's commands [[Joshua 1:8]].
* **Counsel Before Action:** The sequence in [[Isaiah 16:3]], "Take counsel, execute judgment," establishes a divine pattern. Righteous judgment is not arbitrary but is the result of seeking wise counsel first. This highlights the value of God's own counsels, which are described as faithfulness and truth [[Isaiah 25:1]].
* **Justice for the Vulnerable:** The context of [[Isaiah 16:3]] directly connects the execution of **judgment** with the practical acts of hiding outcasts and protecting the wanderer, demonstrating that biblical justice is fundamentally linked to mercy and the defense of the afflicted.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H6415}}` **pᵉlîylâh** is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its meaning is clear and profound. It represents judgment as a deliberate and necessary action. Situated within a command to first seek counsel and then to provide protection, it encapsulates a key aspect of biblical ethics: that true justice is a thoughtful, active pursuit on behalf of others.
TRV