The name occurs once in the Greek New Testament, in Luke 3:35, where it forms part of the Messianic genealogy traced through Shem and Eber on the way to Abraham. The single mention in Luke consciously echoes the Old Testament listings of Genesis 10:25; Genesis 11:16-19; and 1 Chronicles 1:19. In every instance the person stands in the same position—between Eber and Reu—anchoring the post-Flood generations that lead to the patriarchs.

Old Testament Background

Genesis 10:25 records, “Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided; his brother was named Joktan.” The explanatory note about division immediately links the life of this man with the scattering of peoples after Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). The Hebrew verb pālag (“to divide”) provides a mid-history marker separating pre-Babel unity from the dispersion of nations and languages. Thus Peleg’s generation lies at the convergence of major movements in world history, divine judgment, and redemptive progression.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Sovereignty over Nations. Peleg’s lifetime testifies to God’s active governance of historical boundaries (Acts 17:26). The division of the earth was neither random nor outside God’s purpose; it restrained rebellious humanity while furthering the spread of peoples who would ultimately be blessed through Abraham (Genesis 12:3).
2. Continuity of the Covenant Line. Despite global upheaval, the line of promise is preserved intact—from Noah through Shem, Peleg, and on to Abraham—demonstrating that no societal fracture can thwart God’s redemptive plan (Isaiah 14:24).
3. Unity of the Human Family. The genealogies show that all ethnic groups share common ancestry; their diversity arose within God’s providential design, calling the Church to a global vision that transcends cultural divides (Ephesians 2:14-18).

Place in the Line of Messiah

Luke cites Peleg to affirm Jesus Christ’s true humanity and His legal descent from the patriarchs promised a Redeemer (Genesis 3:15; 12:3). The seemingly obscure name therefore functions as a witness to the historicity of the incarnation: the eternal Word entered real space-time, descending from identifiable forefathers whose lives are documented in Scripture.

Chronological and Historical Observations

Genesis 11:18-19 assigns Peleg a lifespan of 239 years, with Reu born when Peleg was thirty. Phases of decreasing longevity after the Flood are visible in his ancestral line, highlighting a shift in human conditions. His birth approximately one hundred years after the Flood places him within living memory of pre-Flood stories, offering credible transmission of early revelation to later generations.

Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship

• God’s faithfulness in every generation encourages believers to trust Him amid societal upheaval.
• Genealogies, though often bypassed, validate the reliability of Scripture and can be used apologetically to show coherence across testaments.
• The scattering that occurred “in the days of Peleg” supplies a biblical rationale for multilingual mission efforts, underlining that the gospel is destined for “every tribe and tongue” (Revelation 7:9).

Summary of Key References

Genesis 10:25; Genesis 11:16-19; 1 Chronicles 1:19; Luke 3:35