פֶּלֶג
Peleg, a son of Shem
Definition
פֶּלֶג (Peleg) is a proper noun referring to a significant figure in the early genealogies of Genesis. He is identified as a son of Eber, a descendant of Shem, and an ancestor of Abraham (Genesis 10:25, 11:16-19). The name itself, meaning 'division' or 'earthquake,' is explicitly linked to a major event in his lifetime: 'for in his days the earth was divided' (Genesis 10:25). This 'division' is traditionally understood as the scattering of humanity and confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). Peleg's lineage is also recorded in the Chronicler's genealogies (1 Chronicles 1:19, 25), solidifying his place in the line of promise.
Biblical Usage
The name Peleg is used exclusively in genealogical contexts within the Old Testament. All seven occurrences are found in the linear lists tracing ancestry from Shem to Abraham in Genesis (10:25, 11:16-19) and the parallel lists in 1 Chronicles (1:19, 25). Its usage is formulaic, serving to connect the patriarchal line to the pivotal event of Babel. The single explanatory note in Genesis 10:25 provides the only narrative context, anchoring the genealogical record to a key moment in primeval history.
Etymology
The name פֶּלֶג (Peleg) is identical to the common noun פֶּלֶג (peleg, H6388), which means 'channel' or 'stream' (as in Psalm 1:3) but also carries the sense of 'division.' It derives from the root verb פָּלַג (palag), meaning 'to split' or 'to divide.' The naming in Genesis 10:25 directly plays on this etymology, connecting the person to the event of the earth's 'division.' The nuance of 'earthquake' fits the concept of a violent splitting of the ground.
Semantic Range
Peleg serves as a crucial genealogical bridge and theological marker. His name and the event attached to it (Genesis 10:25) directly point to God's judgment at Babel, which scattered humanity and formed the nations. Immediately following this judgment, the biblical narrative narrows its focus to the line of Peleg, which leads to Abraham. This highlights God's sovereign choice to work through a specific lineage to bring blessing to all the divided nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Peleg thus represents the transition from universal history to the history of redemption through the chosen family.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, names were often descriptive and carried significant meaning, sometimes prophetic. Naming a child after a major contemporary event (like the 'division' of Babel) would embed that communal memory into the family's identity. The Chronicler's inclusion of Peleg centuries later shows the enduring importance of these genealogical links for establishing tribal and national identity, legitimacy, and connection to foundational covenant promises.
None directly applicable as a proper name. The related common noun is פֶּלֶג (peleg, H6388) — meaning 'channel' or 'division,' from which the personal name is derived.
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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