פֶּ֫לֶךְ
pe.lekh
district
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Pelekh: An Administrative Division in Ancient Israel The Hebrew word *pelekh* (פֶּלֶךְ) refers to a district or administrative division, appearing ten times throughout the biblical text. Based on its lexical classification as a noun denoting a geographical or political subdivision, the term describes territorial units used for organizing populations and resources within ancient Israelite governance structures. The word's presence across ten biblical occurrences suggests it held practical importance in describing how land was divided and administered, though the relatively modest frequency indicates it was one among several terms for territorial organization. The term appears to function in contexts where specific regional divisions needed identification—whether for taxation, military organization, or local governance. Its consistent translation as "district" across biblical references indicates a stable semantic field referring to bounded geographical areas with defined administrative functions. While the lexical data alone does not reveal the precise size, hierarchy, or specific functions of a *pelekh*, the word's existence and repeated use confirm that ancient Israel employed formal district systems as part of its administrative apparatus. The term represents technical vocabulary of governance rather than casual geographical reference, reflecting the structured organization necessary for managing a settled kingdom.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences across the text
Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.
Nehemiah 3:12Next to him, Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters, made repairs.
Nehemiah 3:14Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem repaired the dung gate. He built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
Nehemiah 3:15Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah repaired the spring gate. He built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king’s garden, even to the stairs that go down from David’s city.
Nehemiah 3:16After him, Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs to the place opposite the tombs of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty men.
Nehemiah 3:17After him, the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.
Nehemiah 3:17After him, the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.
Nehemiah 3:18After him, their brothers, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah made repairs.
Proverbs 31:19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
2 Samuel 3:29Let it fall on the head of Joab, and on all his father’s house. Let there not fail from the house of Joab one who has a discharge, or who is a leper, or who leans on a staff, or who falls by the sword, or who lacks bread.”