פַּלּוּא
Pallu, an Israelite
Definition
Pallu (פַּלּוּא) is a proper noun referring to the second son of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and thus a founding figure of one of the clans of Israel. As the son of Reuben, he is listed among the seventy persons who went down to Egypt with Jacob (Genesis 46:9) and his descendants are counted among the Reubenite clans in the wilderness census (Numbers 26:5, 8). The name signifies 'distinguished' or 'separated,' likely reflecting a hope for his character or destiny. His lineage is specifically traced in the priestly genealogies (Exodus 6:14, 1 Chronicles 5:3), establishing the continuity and identity of the tribe of Reuben.
Biblical Usage
The name Pallu is used exclusively in genealogical and census contexts within the Pentateuch and Chronicles. It appears in the foundational list of Jacob's family entering Egypt (Genesis 46:9), in the genealogy of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 6:14), in the two wilderness censuses of the Reubenites (Numbers 26:5, 8), and in a later genealogical record of Reuben's descendants (1 Chronicles 5:3). The pattern is strictly administrative, serving to document tribal ancestry and the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Abraham's offspring.
Etymology
The name Pallu (פַּלּוּא) is a derivative of the Hebrew root פָּלָה (palah, H6395), meaning 'to be distinct, separated, or distinguished.' It is formed as a passive participle, suggesting 'one who is distinguished.' This naming follows a common biblical pattern where personal names communicate a characteristic or divine action.
Semantic Range
While a personal name, Pallu represents the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promise to make Abraham's descendants 'as numerous as the stars' (Genesis 15:5). His inclusion in the genealogies underscores the importance of each individual and family line within the corporate identity of Israel. Understanding his name ('distinguished') reminds readers that even within a large tribe, each clan had a distinct identity and role in God's plan, highlighting the value of lineage and God's faithfulness across generations.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were not merely labels but often carried meaning related to circumstances at birth, parental hopes, or perceived character. Naming a son 'Distinguished' (Pallu) expressed a parental aspiration for his future prominence or divine favor within the family and tribe. Genealogies like those featuring Pallu were vital for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and military organization.
Reuben (רְאוּבֵן, H7205) — Pallu's father and the progenitor of the tribe. Helek (חֵלֶק, H2507) — A descendant of Pallu and head of a Reubenite sub-clan (Numbers 26:30), showing the continuation of the distinguished lineage.
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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