Lexical Summary peluggah: sections Original Word: פְלֻגָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance division From palag; a section -- division. see HEBREW palag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom palag Definition a division NASB Translation sections (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מְּלֻגָּה] noun feminine division (= מַחֲלֹקֵת q. v. ), of priests, for service; — plural construct מְּלֻגּוֺת2Chronicles 35:5. Topical Lexicon Overviewפְלֻגָּה (peluggâ) designates a discrete contingent—military, civil, or priestly—within a larger body. The term occurs three times, all in contexts where corporate purpose is either advanced or hindered by the actions of its sub-groups. Scripture thus employs the word not merely to describe numbers on a roster but to highlight the spiritual consequences of collective faithfulness or hesitation. Occurrences and Literary Setting 1. Judges 5:15 The first two references appear in Deborah’s victory song; the third belongs to the reforms of King Josiah. Together they span the era of the judges to the final decades of the Judean monarchy, illustrating how ordered “divisions” were expected in both military and liturgical spheres. Military Organization in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5:15–16) Deborah recounts Israel’s tribes responding—or failing to respond—to the Lord’s summons against Sisera. She sings: “In the divisions of Reuben there was great resolve of heart… Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the piping for the flocks? In the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.” (Judges 5:15-16) Here a “division” is a musterable combat unit. Two truths emerge: • Accountability of Sub-Units. Although the nation at large gained victory, Reuben’s hesitating contingents are singled out. Their inaction did not stop the Lord but it did mar their own testimony. • Courage Tested Locally. Resolve or timidity manifests in the small cohort long before it is noticed at the national level. Spiritual warfare today likewise exposes the faith or fear of local assemblies (Revelation 2:4-5). A Call to Courage and Commitment The double mention of Reuben’s peluggâ contrasts sharply with Zebulun and Naphtali, tribes who “risked their lives unto death” (Judges 5:18). Scripture thus invites each fellowship, ministry team, or family to weigh its own readiness. The question, “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds?” still probes any reluctance to engage when God’s agenda demands action. Order in Priestly Service under Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:5) Josiah’s Passover required meticulous coordination: “Stand in the holy place by the divisions of the families of your brothers, the lay people, and by the divisions of the families of the Levites.” (2 Chronicles 35:5) Here peluggâ describes Levitical service-groups. The same word that marked military companies now marks worship teams. Revival flourishes when the house of God is served by disciplined, well-ordered cohorts (compare 1 Chronicles 23:6; though a different term, the concept parallels). Theological Themes 1. Divine Orderliness. God advances His purposes through structured units, not chaotic crowds (1 Corinthians 14:40). Practical Ministry Implications • Local churches mirror the “divisions” principle when they deploy elders, deacons, small groups, and ministry teams. Organization supports, rather than stifles, spiritual vitality. Related Concepts and Further Study • Tribal musters: Numbers 1–2 Peluggâ, though a rare term, offers a concise theology of organized readiness—whether wielding spear or censer—to advance the purposes of the Sovereign Lord. Forms and Transliterations בִּפְלַגּ֣וֹת בפלגות לִפְלַגּ֣וֹת לִפְלֻגּוֹת֙ לפלגות biflagGot bip̄·lag·gō·wṯ bip̄laggōwṯ liflagGot lifluggoyT lip̄·lag·gō·wṯ lip̄·lug·gō·wṯ lip̄laggōwṯ lip̄luggōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 5:15 HEB: שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּרַגְלָ֑יו בִּפְלַגּ֣וֹת רְאוּבֵ֔ן גְּדֹלִ֖ים INT: rushed his heels division of Reuben great Judges 5:16 2 Chronicles 35:5 3 Occurrences |