English · KJV
H6385

פָּלַג

pâlag /paw-lag'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto split (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagedivide.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of pâlag — 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 pâlag, represented by H6385, is a primitive root meaning to split or divide. It is used literally and figuratively. This specific term appears 4 times in 4 unique verses, making each usage significant in understanding its scope, which ranges from dividing land to dividing language.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The usage of H6385 is seen in three distinct contexts. First, it is used genealogically to mark a pivotal event in history. In both Genesis and 1 Chronicles, it is noted that unto Eber H5677 a son named Peleg was born, "for in his days was the earth divided" (Genesis 10:25; 1 Chronicles 1:19). Second, it appears in a prayer for divine intervention in Psalms, where the psalmist asks the Lord H136 to "Destroy... and divide their tongues" H3956 in response to seeing violence H2555 and strife H7379 in the city Psalms 55:9. Finally, it describes God's creative power in the book of Job, where God asks, "Who hath divided a watercourse H8585 for the overflowing of waters" Job 38:25.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which division occurs:

  • H8585 tᵉʻâlâh (a channel... a bandage or plaster): This word, translated as "watercourse" in Job, refers to a channel or trench created by an act of division. Its use in Job 38:25 illustrates H6385 as a force that orders the natural world by creating designated paths.
  • H3956 lâshôwn (the tongue... speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water): As the object of division in Psalms 55:9, "tongues" highlights the figurative use of H6385 to create confusion and disrupt the communication of those who practice violence and strife.
  • H5677 ʻÊbêr (Eber, the name of two patriarchs and four Israelites): As the father of Peleg, his name is directly linked to the historical event where the earth was "divided" Genesis 10:25. This connects the act of division to a specific lineage and a monumental shift in human history.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H6385 is demonstrated through its varied applications.

  • Historical Demarcation: The division of the earth during the days of Peleg marks a fundamental separation in the biblical narrative, tying a personal name to a world-altering event (Genesis 10:25; 1 Chronicles 1:19).
  • Divine Judgment: Division is invoked as a tool against wickedness. The plea to "divide their tongues" Psalms 55:9 is a call for God to dismantle the unity of those engaged in violence H2555 and strife H7379, thereby frustrating their efforts.
  • Creative Ordering: In Job, division is not an act of chaos but of divine architecture. God's ability to divide a watercourse H8585 for rain and a way H1870 for lightning showcases His sovereign power to bring order to the elements of creation Job 38:25.

Summary

In summary, H6385 pâlag encapsulates the act of separation in its literal and figurative dimensions. It is used to signify a foundational division of the earth, to call for the strategic confusion of enemies through the division of their language, and to describe God's masterful power in shaping the natural world by carving channels for water. Though rare, its usage across scripture illustrates a powerful concept of separation as an act of history, judgment, and creation.

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 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 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.

  • נִפְלְגָה
  • פַּלַּג
  • פִלַּג

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.

H5677 עֵבֵר the same as עֵבֶר; Eber, the name of two patriarchs and four Israelites; Eber, Heber. H136 אֲדֹנָי an emphatic form of אָדוֹן; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only); (my) Lord. H3956 לָשׁוֹן or לָשֹׁן; also (in plural) feminine לְשֹׁנָה; from לָשַׁן; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instr H2555 חָמָס from חָמַס; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain; cruel(-ty), damage, false, injustice, [idiom] oppres H7379 רִיב or רִב; from רִיב; a contest (personal or legal); [phrase] adversary, cause, chiding, contend(-tion), controversy, multi H8585 תְּעָלָה from עָלָה; a channel (into which water is raised for irrigation); also a bandage or plaster (as placed upon a wound); c

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 4 verses across 4 of the 39 books. 4 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 35.

1
Genesis
1
1 Chronicles
1
Job
1
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.