### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun פְּלִילִיָּה (pᵉlîylîyâh, `{{H6417}}`) is a rare term, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible. It is a feminine form derived from the adjective פְּלִילִי (pᵉlîylî, `{{H6414}}`), which means "judicial" or "judicable." At its core, pᵉlîylîyâh signifies "judicature" or "judgment," referring to the act, process, or outcome of a legal determination.
The semantic range of pᵉlîylîyâh is deeply rooted in the broader concept of judgment found in its verbal root, פָּלַל (pâlal, `{{H6419}}`). While pâlal primarily means "to judge" or "to decide," it also carries the significant nuance of "to intercede" or "to pray." This dual meaning suggests that biblical judgment is not merely punitive but can also involve discerning, arbitrating, and even mediating. Thus, pᵉlîylîyâh implies a formal, authoritative process of assessing a situation, rendering a verdict, and administering justice, often within a legal or communal framework.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The singular occurrence of pᵉlîylîyâh (`{{H6417}}`) is found in the book of Job:
* **[[Job 31:11]]**: "For that would be a heinous crime; yes, that would be an iniquity for the judges (עָוֹן פְּלִילִיָּה)."
In this passage, Job is defending his integrity and asserting his blamelessness before God and his friends. He systematically lists various sins he has avoided, demonstrating his righteous conduct. In [[Job 31:9-12]], Job speaks of adultery, stating that if he had been guilty of such a transgression, it would be a "heinous crime" (זִמָּה - zimmah, often associated with sexually immoral acts deserving of severe punishment) and an "iniquity *for the judges*" (עָוֹן פְּלִילִיָּה).
The phrase "iniquity for the judges" indicates an offense that falls squarely within the jurisdiction of human legal authorities. It is not merely a moral failing but a transgression so severe that it demands formal judicial review and a legal verdict. The use of pᵉlîylîyâh here emphasizes the public, serious, and judicially actionable nature of the sin, requiring the intervention and judgment of those appointed to administer justice. It underscores the societal implications of such an act and the need for legal accountability.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of pᵉlîylîyâh (`{{H6417}}`) is enriched by its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **פְּלִילִי (pᵉlîylî, `{{H6414}}`)**: This is the masculine adjective from which pᵉlîylîyâh is derived. It means "judicial" or "judicable." Its occurrences further solidify the legal context:
* [[Deuteronomy 32:31]]: "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges (פְּלִילִי)." Here, it refers to the enemies themselves being capable of judging or discerning God's incomparable power.
* [[Isaiah 16:3]]: "Execute judgment (עֲשׂוּ פְלִילָה); make your shadow like the night in the midst of the noonday..." While the form is slightly different (peliylah), it stems from the same root and implies a call for just administration.
* **פָּלַל (pâlal, `{{H6419}}`)**: The foundational verbal root, meaning "to judge, decide, intercede, pray." This root is crucial for understanding the broader scope of "judgment" in the biblical worldview. The connection to "intercession" highlights that biblical judgment can involve discernment, mediation, and seeking divine guidance, not just punitive action.
* **מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, `{{H4941}}`)**: A much more common and broader term meaning "justice," "judgment," "ordinance," or "custom." While mishpat covers the entire spectrum of legal and ethical justice, pᵉlîylîyâh specifically zeroes in on the *act* or *process* of judicial determination for a particular offense.
* **Concepts**: Divine justice, human justice, accountability, legal proceedings, righteousness, sin, punishment, discernment, and the role of the judiciary within the covenant community are all related concepts.
### Theological Significance
Though rare, the word pᵉlîylîyâh (`{{H6417}}`) carries significant theological weight, particularly within the context of biblical justice and human accountability:
1. **Affirmation of Human Judiciary**: The term implicitly affirms the necessity and legitimacy of a human judicial system within ancient Israel. Certain transgressions were not merely private moral failings but public offenses requiring formal legal processes and the discernment of appointed judges. This reflects God's design for an ordered society governed by justice.
2. **Seriousness of Sin**: In [[Job 31:11]], pᵉlîylîyâh underscores the extreme gravity of certain sins, specifically adultery. It highlights that such actions are not only an offense against God and a moral wrong but also a direct violation of societal order that demands a legal reckoning. This reinforces the biblical understanding that sin has both spiritual and communal consequences.
3. **Accountability**: Job's use of the term in his defense speaks to the principle of accountability. He acknowledges that if he were guilty of the sin in question, he would be subject to the full force of human judgment, which ultimately reflects the divine standard of justice. This implies that human judges, when acting righteously, are instruments of God's justice on earth.
4. **Reflection of Divine Justice**: While pᵉlîylîyâh directly refers to human judicature, the broader root pâlal (`{{H6419}}`) frequently describes God's own acts of judgment and human intercession before Him. This suggests that the ideal of human judgment, embodied in pᵉlîylîyâh, should strive to mirror the perfect, righteous, and discerning judgment of God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word פְּלִילִיָּה (pᵉlîylîyâh, `{{H6417}}`) is a unique and potent term, appearing once in [[Job 31:11]]. It denotes "judicature" or "judgment," specifically referring to a matter that requires formal legal determination by human authorities. Derived from the root pâlal (`{{H6419}}`), which encompasses judging, deciding, and even interceding, pᵉlîylîyâh highlights the solemnity and formal nature of administering justice.
In its singular biblical context, the word underscores the severe, judicially punishable nature of certain transgressions, such as adultery, within the covenant community. It emphasizes that such acts are not merely moral failings but societal offenses demanding legal accountability. Theologically, pᵉlîylîyâh affirms the vital role of a just human judiciary, reflects the serious consequences of sin, and points to the overarching principle of accountability under God's righteous law. It serves as a reminder of the gravity with which the ancient Israelites viewed offenses that necessitated formal legal reckoning and the administration of justice.
TRV