פְּלֻגָּה

פְּלֻגָּה

a section

Definition

The Hebrew noun פְּלֻגָּה refers to a 'section' or 'division,' specifically a segment or portion of a larger group. In its biblical usage, it most often describes a military or tribal division, as seen in Judges 5:15-16, where it refers to the 'divisions' of Reuben, indicating their tribal contingents or clans. In 2 Chronicles 35:5, the word is used in a religious context, describing the 'divisions' of the people—likely family or clan groupings—who were to stand in the temple according to their ancestral houses. Thus, the term conveys the idea of an organized subdivision within a national, tribal, or religious body.

Biblical Usage

This word occurs only three times in the Old Testament, exclusively in poetic or historical narrative contexts. It appears twice in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5:15, 5:16) to describe the hesitant 'divisions' or tribal units of Reuben. The third occurrence is in 2 Chronicles 35:5, where King Josiah instructs the 'divisions' of the families of Israel to prepare for the Passover. The usage pattern shows it applies to structured segments of Israelite society, whether for military mustering or religious ceremony.

Etymology

פְּלֻגָּה is a feminine noun derived from the root פָּלַג (pālag, H6385), which means 'to split,' 'divide,' or 'cleave.' This root conveys the core idea of separation into parts. Cognates in other Semitic languages carry similar meanings of division or a portion. The noun form naturally developed to mean the resulting 'section' or 'division' created by such splitting.

Semantic Range

While not a theologically heavy term, פְּלֻגָּה highlights the organized, covenantal structure of God's people. In Judges 5, its use underscores the theme of tribal unity (or disunity) in responding to God's call to battle. In 2 Chronicles 35, it reflects the orderly worship prescribed by God's law, where the community is divided into familial units to celebrate Passover. Understanding this term enriches reading by showing how Israel's identity was lived out in both military and worship contexts through these defined social divisions. In ancient Israelite culture, identity and organization were deeply tied to tribe, clan, and family. A פְּלֻגָּה represented one of these fundamental subdivisions. This was crucial for military conscription, as armies were mustered by tribe (Judges 5), and for religious observance, where duties and placements were allocated by ancestral houses (2 Chronicles 35:5). The concept differs from a modern impersonal 'section'; it carried connotations of kinship and shared responsibility within the covenant community. חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, H2506) — a 'portion' or 'share,' often of land or inheritance, more general than a structured division. מַחֲלֹקֶת (maḥălōqet, H4256) — a 'division' or 'course,' specifically used for the priestly and Levitical service rotations (1 Chronicles 24:1).

Word Details