מִפְלַגָּה
a classification
Definition
The noun מִפְלַגָּה (miphlaggâh) refers to a division or classification, specifically a grouping or category based on shared characteristics. It denotes a structured separation or arrangement of items into distinct classes. In its single biblical occurrence in 2 Chronicles 35:12, it describes the organized classification of sacrificial animals into groups for the Passover offering. The term implies an orderly, systematic division rather than a random or hostile splitting.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 35:12. It appears in the context of King Josiah's Passover celebration, describing how the priests prepared the sacrificial animals 'according to the divisions' (לְמִפְלַגּוֹת) of the people's families. The usage highlights administrative and liturgical organization, showing a systematic approach to a large religious ceremony where offerings were categorized and handled in an orderly fashion.
Etymology
מִפְלַגָּה is a feminine noun derived from the root פָּלַג (pālag, H6385), which means 'to divide' or 'to split.' It is related to nouns like פֶּלֶג (peleg, H6388), meaning 'channel' or 'stream' (a division of water), and פְּלֻגָּה (pĕluggâh, H6395), meaning 'division' or 'section.' The formation with the מִ- prefix often indicates the place or result of an action, hence a 'division' as a created category or group.
Semantic Range
While used only once, this word contributes to the theology of order and reverence in worship. The systematic classification of sacrifices in 2 Chronicles 35:12 reflects God's desire for holiness and propriety in ritual observance, as seen in other detailed Levitical instructions. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the intentional, organized structure behind Israel's worship, pointing to a God who values both the heart and orderly practice (1 Corinthians 14:40).
In ancient Israelite culture, large-scale religious feasts like Passover required meticulous logistics. The use of מִפְלַגָּה in 2 Chronicles 35:12 reflects a practical system for managing the many offerings brought by families, ensuring the ceremony proceeded smoothly and according to law. This organized division contrasts with modern individualistic worship, emphasizing community participation and structured, collective ritual.
חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, H2506) — a portion or share, often of land or inheritance, less about systematic classification. פְּלֻגָּה (pĕluggâh, H6395) — a division or section, very close in meaning but used in different contexts (e.g., 1 Chronicles 23:6, 24:1).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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