פַּלְטִי
a Paltite or descendant of Palti
Definition
Palṭîy is a proper noun used as a gentilic or patronymic term, meaning 'a Paltite' or 'belonging to Palti.' It specifically identifies an individual as a descendant of a man named Palti (H6406). In its sole biblical occurrence, it designates Helez, one of King David's mighty warriors, as 'Helez the Paltite' (2 Samuel 23:26). The term functions solely as an identifier of lineage or geographical origin, with no other attested meanings or variations in the biblical text.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Samuel 23:26, within the list of David's 'mighty men' (gibborim). It is used as a title or descriptor ('Helez the Paltite') to distinguish this individual, likely by his family lineage or town of origin. The usage pattern is consistent with other gentilic names in such military and genealogical lists (e.g., 'Ittai the Gittite').
Etymology
The word פַּלְטִי (Palṭîy) is formed patronymically from the masculine proper name פַּלְטִי (Palti, H6406), which itself is derived from the root פלט (p-l-ṭ), meaning 'to escape' or 'to deliver.' Thus, Palṭîy literally means 'descended from Palti' or 'belonging to Palti.' The root suggests the ancestor's name carried a sense of 'deliverance' or 'escape.'
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, identifying someone by their father's name (patronymic) or hometown was a primary method of establishing identity and social connection. 'Helez the Paltite' being listed among David's warriors signifies his incorporation into the king's elite military force, a position of great honor. His identification likely connected him to a specific clan or region, affirming that David's support came from diverse Israelite lineages.
פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pelishtî, H6430) — A gentilic for 'Philistine,' denoting an ethnic group, whereas Palṭîy denotes lineage from a specific individual. בֵּן (ben, H1121) — The common word for 'son,' indicating direct descent, while Palṭîy is a formed gentilic adjective.
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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