פִּלְטַי
Piltai, an Israelite
Definition
Piltai is a proper name referring to an Israelite priest who lived during the time of the post-exilic restoration. He is specifically mentioned as the head of the priestly house of Moadiah during the high priesthood of Joiakim (Nehemiah 12:17). As a priestly leader, Piltai would have been responsible for religious duties and the spiritual oversight of his clan. The name itself carries a meaning related to 'deliverance' or 'escape,' which may have held personal or familial significance.
Biblical Usage
The name Piltai is used only once in the Old Testament, in Nehemiah 12:17, within a list of priests and Levites who returned from exile. This context is part of a detailed record of the religious leadership reestablished in Jerusalem, emphasizing the continuity and restoration of the priesthood after the Babylonian captivity.
Etymology
The name Piltai (פִּלְטַי) is a derivative or a variant form of the name Palti (פַּלְטִי, H6407). It comes from the Hebrew root פלט (p-l-t), which means 'to escape, deliver, or slip away.' Thus, the name essentially means 'my deliverance' or 'Yahweh is deliverance,' fitting a pattern of Hebrew names expressing trust in God's saving power.
Semantic Range
While the individual Piltai is not a major theological figure, his inclusion in the priestly lists of Nehemiah 12 underscores the theme of God's faithfulness in preserving and restoring His covenant people. The meticulous recording of these names highlights the importance of orderly worship, legitimate priestly lineage, and community identity in the post-exilic period, pointing to God's commitment to reestablish His worship according to the Law.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and reflected parental hopes or divine attributes. A name meaning 'deliverance' would resonate deeply with a community that had recently experienced the deliverance of returning from exile in Babylon. As a priest, Piltai's role was central to the religious and social reformation led by Nehemiah and Ezra.
Palti (H6407) — A related personal name with the same root meaning 'my deliverance.'
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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