Original Word: פָלָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: palah
Pronunciation: pah-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-law')
KJV: put a difference, show marvellous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully
NASB: set apart, distinguished, make a distinction, makes a distinction, wonderfully, wondrously show
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to distinguish (literally or figuratively)

separate, set apart, sever

A primitive root; to distinguish (literally or figuratively) -- put a difference, show marvellous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be separated or distinct
NASB Translation
distinguished (1), make a distinction (1), makes a distinction (1), set apart (2), wonderfully (1), wondrously show (1).

[מָּלָה] verb Niph`al be separated, distinct ("" form of פלא q. v.; compare Arabic , separate from sucking, wean; Ethiopic separate, distinguish); —

1 Perfect1plural consecutive וְנִפְלִינוּ Exodus 33:16 and we shall be distinct, with מִן person

21singular נִפְלֵיתִי Psalm 139:14 I am wonderful (namely in bodily stature etc.); < Vrss Hupfeld Now Bae We תָ- thou [׳י] art wonderful (פלא 3).

Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular הִפְלָה Psalm 4:4, ׳וְה consecutive Exodus 9:4; 1singular וְהִפְלֵיתִי consecutive Exodus 8:18; Imperfect3masculine singular יַפְלֶה Exodus 11:7; Imperative masculine singular הַפְלֵה Psalm 17:7; — of ׳י, make separate, with accusative Exodus 8:18 (by treating differently); set apart Psalm 4:4, but perhaps read חֶסֶד לִי (for Mt חָסִיד לוֺ), hath made wonderful (his) kindness to me (Dy Gr Che We Du [Bae 'perhaps']), so Psalm 17:7 (compare Psalm 31:22); distinguish between, בֵּין thing, Exodus 9:4, בֵּין person Exodus 11:7.

Overview of Meaning

The verb פָלָה (palah) expresses the action of setting apart, distinguishing, or dealing differently with someone or something. In every occurrence the initiative belongs to the LORD, who marks out persons or groups for protection, favor, or wonder.

Canonical Occurrences
• Exodus 8:22; 9:4; 11:7 – During the plagues the LORD “makes a distinction” between Egypt and Israel, shielding His covenant people while judging their oppressors.
• Exodus 33:16 – Moses pleads that the divine Presence is what “distinguishes” Israel from all nations.
• Psalm 4:3 – The faithful are “set apart” by the LORD, and therefore enjoy His attentive hearing.
• Psalm 17:7 – The psalmist asks God to “show the wonder” of His loyal love by rescuing those who seek refuge in Him.
• Psalm 139:14 – Humanity is “fearfully and wonderfully made,” highlighting the Creator’s extraordinary workmanship.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Separation. In Exodus the verb underscores the unilateral grace of God who identifies a people for Himself. The distinction is not earned but bestowed, pointing ahead to the New Covenant reality in which believers are called “a chosen people” (1 Peter 2:9).
2. Divine Presence. Exodus 33:16 links palah to the nearness of God. What truly separates God’s people is not external privilege but His indwelling presence, fulfilled ultimately through the Holy Spirit (John 14:17).
3. Personal Assurance. Psalm 4:3 weds distinction to prayer: the set-apart person can be certain of God’s response. Palah thus feeds the believer’s confidence in intercession.
4. Marvel of Salvation. Psalm 17:7 expands the idea from national protection to individual deliverance. The “wonder” God displays is His covenant loyalty (hesed), climaxing at the cross where salvation is fully revealed (Romans 5:8).
5. Dignity of Creation. Psalm 139:14 applies palah to human formation in the womb, grounding the sanctity of life in God’s remarkable creative act. Every person bears inherent worth because each is “wonderfully made.”

Literary and Historical Context

The Exodus uses occur within narratives announcing judgment on Egypt’s gods. By distinguishing Israel, the LORD demonstrates absolute sovereignty over nature and nations. The later psalmic uses arise from personal and communal worship, translating the historical memory of Exodus into ongoing trust. This movement from corporate history to individual experience illustrates the continuity of God’s character across generations.

Implications for Ministry and Christian Living
• Identity: Believers derive their distinctiveness from God’s presence, not from cultural markers or personal merit.
• Holiness: Being set apart obligates God’s people to live in moral and spiritual separation from the world’s values (2 Corinthians 6:17).
• Prayer: Confidence in prayer rests on the fact that the LORD has already distinguished His own and promises attentive hearing.
• Pro-Life Ethics: Psalm 139:14 supports a robust ethic of life, affirming the worth of the unborn and the responsibility to protect the vulnerable.
• Evangelism: The contrast between Egypt and Israel prefigures the ultimate distinction between those united to Christ and those outside Him, urging proclamation of the gospel that others too may be set apart.

Christological Foreshadowing

Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate palah. He is the “Chosen One” (Luke 23:35) distinguished by the Father, and through His atoning work He creates a people “zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). The church’s missionary mandate flows from this identity: those whom God has set apart are sent to declare “the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

הִפְלָ֣ה הַפְלֵ֣ה הפלה וְהִפְלֵיתִי֩ וְהִפְלָ֣ה וְנִפְלֵ֙ינוּ֙ והפלה והפליתי ונפלינו יַפְלֶ֣ה יפלה נִ֫פְלֵ֥יתִי נפליתי hafLeh hap̄·lêh hap̄lêh hifLah hip̄·lāh hip̄lāh nifLeiti nip̄·lê·ṯî nip̄lêṯî vehifLah vehifleiTi venifLeinu wə·hip̄·lāh wə·hip̄·lê·ṯî wə·nip̄·lê·nū wəhip̄lāh wəhip̄lêṯî wənip̄lênū yafLeh yap̄·leh yap̄lehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts