פְּלִילָה
justice
Definition
פְּלִילָה refers to the act or process of executing justice, specifically through judicial decision-making. It denotes a formal judgment or verdict rendered by a legal authority. The word carries the sense of a decisive, authoritative ruling that establishes what is right and just. Its single biblical occurrence in Isaiah 16:3 presents it as a plea for a protective judicial decision.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 16:3. In this prophetic oracle against Moab, the prophet urges, 'Give counsel; execute justice (פְּלִילָה); make your shade like night at the height of noon; hide the outcasts; do not betray the fugitive.' Here, it is used in a poetic, urgent appeal for Moab to provide just protection and refuge, framing justice as a decisive, sheltering action for the vulnerable.
Etymology
פְּלִילָה is the feminine noun form derived from the root פלל (p-l-l), which fundamentally relates to judging, intervening, or arbitrating. It is the feminine of פָּלִיל (H6414), meaning 'judge' or 'arbiter.' The root is also seen in words like הִתְפַּלֵּל (hitpallel), 'to pray,' which originally implied presenting a case or judgment before God. Thus, the concept is intrinsically linked to the exercise of discernment and authoritative decision.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, פְּלִילָה connects to the core biblical theme of God's justice, especially His role as the ultimate Judge who defends the oppressed (Psalm 7:8, Isaiah 30:18). Its context in Isaiah highlights that true justice, as an action, should provide refuge and safety. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by showing that biblical justice is not a passive concept but an active, decisive intervention on behalf of the vulnerable, reflecting God's own character.
In ancient Israelite culture, justice was administered at the city gate by elders or appointed judges. A פְּלִילָה would represent the formal outcome of such a legal proceeding—a binding verdict. This differs from a modern, abstract idea of 'justice'; it was a concrete, communal act that established order and protected societal boundaries, especially for those without other defense, like the 'outcasts' mentioned in Isaiah 16:3.
מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat, H4941) — a broader, more common term for judgment, justice, or legal ordinance. צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — righteousness or rightness, often paired with justice but emphasizing moral uprightness. דִּין (din, H1779) — a judgment or plea, often in the context of a legal dispute or case.
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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