Lexical Summary peluggah: divisions Original Word: פְלֻגָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance division (Aramaic) corresponding to pluggah -- division. see HEBREW pluggah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from pelag Definition a division NASB Translation divisions (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְּלֻגָּה noun feminine division; — suffix מְּלֻגָָּֽתְהוֺן Ezra 6:18. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Ezra 6:18 records the sole appearance of פְלֻגָּה, rendered “divisions” in the Berean Standard Bible: “They installed the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their groups for the service of God at Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.” Context in Ezra The verse stands at the climax of the temple-rebuilding narrative. After years of opposition, Israel’s leaders completed the Second Temple (Ezra 6:14-15) and celebrated Passover (Ezra 6:19-22). Restoring priestly “divisions” signaled a decisive return to covenant order. The phrase looks back to prescriptions in the Pentateuch for priestly service (Numbers 3; Numbers 8) and to the detailed reorganization under King David (1 Chronicles 24). Thus, Ezra 6:18 anchors the post-exilic community to both Mosaic authority and Davidic precedent. Historical Background 1. Mosaic Foundations: Moses distinguished Aaronic priests from Levites, assigning each clan specific tabernacle duties (Numbers 18). Priestly Organization Placing priests “in their divisions” accomplished four goals: Theological Themes 1. Covenant Fidelity: Faithful worship is inseparable from obedience to revealed structure (Deuteronomy 12:5-14). Practical Ministry Insights • Ordered Ministry: Congregational life benefits from clearly defined roles that flow from Scripture rather than cultural trend (1 Corinthians 14:40). Intercanonical Connections The priestly course of Abijah, mentioned in Luke 1:5, descends from David’s divisions, illustrating continuity from Old to New Testament worship. Jesus Christ, though from Judah, affirmed temple practices (Matthew 21:12-14) and ultimately fulfilled them as the great High Priest (Hebrews 7:26-28). Thus, פְלֻגָּה foreshadows the orderly priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9). Contemporary Application Churches today face the temptation of personality-driven or ad-hoc ministry. Ezra 6:18 reminds believers that God’s work prospers when conducted in reverent, Scripture-grounded order. Whether organizing worship teams, elder boards, or missionary rotations, the principle of “divisions” safeguards fidelity, fosters unity, and magnifies the Lord who “is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Forms and Transliterations בִּפְלֻגָּתְה֗וֹן בפלגתהון bifluggateHon bip̄·lug·gā·ṯə·hō·wn bip̄luggāṯəhōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 6:18 HEB: וַהֲקִ֨ימוּ כָהֲנַיָּ֜א בִּפְלֻגָּתְה֗וֹן וְלֵוָיֵא֙ בְּמַחְלְקָ֣תְה֔וֹן NAS: the priests to their divisions and the Levites KJV: the priests in their divisions, and the Levites INT: appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites their orders 1 Occurrence |