Original Word: פְלַג
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: plag
Pronunciation: peh-lag
Phonetic Spelling: (pel-ag')
KJV: dividing
NASB: half
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from H63 (אָבֵל הַשִּׁטִּים - Abel-shittim)86]

1. a half

dividing

(Aramaic) from plag; a half -- dividing.

see HEBREW plag

Word Origin
(Aramaic) from pelag
Definition
half
NASB Translation
half (1).

מְּלַג noun [masculine] half; — construct ׳פ Daniel 7:25.

Scriptural Occurrence

Daniel 7:25 contains the sole biblical use of פְלַג, rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as “the dividing of time” within the phrase “a time and times and half a time.”

Immediate Context in Daniel 7

Daniel’s night vision unveils four successive kingdoms, out of which arises a “little horn” that persecutes “the saints of the Most High” and seeks to “change times and law.” The divine timetable limits that persecution to “a time, times, and the dividing of time.” פְלַג marks the final fractional segment of that period, underscoring the precise boundary God sets for evil’s sway.

Symbolic Chronology

The wording “time, times and half a time” recurs in Daniel 12:7 and Revelation 12:14, and is parallel to forty-two months (Revelation 13:5) and 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3; 12:6). Conservative interpreters commonly equate each “time” with a prophetic year of 360 days. The “dividing” (פְלַג) therefore signifies the concluding half of a seven-year span—three and one-half years—often linked to the latter half of Daniel’s seventieth week (Daniel 9:27) and the period of great tribulation (Matthew 24:15–22).

Historical and Prophetic Perspectives

1. Antiochus Epiphanes (Second Century B.C.)—Many recognize a near fulfillment when Antiochus oppressed Judah for approximately 3½ years (circa 167–164 B.C.).
2. First-Century Rome—Some see a pattern in Nero’s persecution, yet the full description outstrips any past emperor.
3. Eschatological Antichrist—The definitive fulfillment awaits a final world ruler who will exceed all predecessors in blasphemy and persecution. פְלַג assures that even this climactic tyranny is divinely cut short.

Theological Significance

• Divine Sovereignty: פְלַג highlights God’s control over history, apportioning not merely years but fractions of years to accomplish His redemptive purposes.
• Ultimate Justice: The “dividing of time” signals that persecution has an appointed terminus, after which the kingdom is “given to the saints” (Daniel 7:27).
• Covenant Faithfulness: By limiting the adversary’s reign, the Lord safeguards His covenant people and preserves the messianic hope that culminates in Jesus Christ’s everlasting kingdom.

Ministry Application

• Encouragement in Suffering: Believers facing oppression can rest in the certainty that God has already set the boundary of their trial.
• Call to Watchfulness: Knowing that the period symbolized by פְלַג precedes the visible triumph of Christ, the Church is exhorted to sobriety, endurance, and gospel proclamation (1 Peter 4:7; Revelation 14:12).
• Hope of Vindication: Just as the saints in Daniel receive dominion after the allotted time, so all who belong to Christ will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).

Related Concepts and Cross-References

• “Half a week” — Daniel 9:27
• “Forty-two months” — Revelation 11:2; 13:5
• “1,260 days” — Revelation 11:3; 12:6
• “Time, times and half a time” — Daniel 12:7; Revelation 12:14

Through פְלַג Scripture reveals that even the smallest segment of prophetic chronology rests in God’s hands, assuring His people that history moves unerringly toward the consummation of His kingdom in Jesus Christ.

וּפְלַ֥ג ופלג ū·p̄ə·laḡ ufeLag ūp̄əlaḡInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts