Peleg
TextsWhat is the meaning of Peleg in the Bible?
Peleg is a biblical patriarch listed in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:25 as the son of Eber and father of Joktan. His name derives from the Hebrew root p-l-g, meaning 'to divide,' and the text notes that 'in his days the earth was divided.'
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Peleg provides the genealogical context for the dispersion of nations following the Tower of Babel narrative, illustrating how ancient Israelite tradition linked linguistic and ethnic diversity to specific ancestral lineages.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Peleg functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Peleg in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Peleg clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Genesis 10:25
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Peleg." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/peleg/