פֶּלֶס
𐤐𐤋𐤎
peleç
H6425 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Apparatus for measuring or determining weight, specifically a balance or set of scales used for weighing. The term refers to the physical instrument (beam-balance or scales) employed in commercial and judicial settings to determine just measure or fairness, especially in the context of market transactions and justice. Sometimes used metaphorically for evaluation or assessment.
Semantic Range
balance (apparatus), beam scales, measuring instrument, tool for weighing; metaphorically: standard of fairness, means of evaluation, measure of justice
Root / Etymology
Root: פלס. From the root meaning 'to level, weigh, make even.' פֶּלֶס (peleç) is a noun formation denoting the instrument or device made for weighing, derived from the basic root meaning of balancing or leveling.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פֶּלֶס occurs sparsely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Prov 16:11; Isa 40:12), typically in contexts emphasizing justice, honesty, and fairness, both literal (market weights) and metaphorical (divine justice or human actions being weighed). In Israelite society, just weights and measures were a central concern both for economic transactions and for social justice. The noun is sometimes translated as 'scales' or 'balance,' but the specific imagery is of a beam balance, not a simple weight or a measuring stone. In later Hebrew (post-biblical), meaning broadens to include balance or scale in general. The term is distinct from מֹאזְנַיִם (moznayim, 'scales') and אֶבֶן (even, 'stone, weight'). English translations often obscure the technical nuance, rendering צדק/משפט/פלס all as 'justice' or 'just weight.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פָּלַס; a balance; scales, weight.
Bantu Hebrew
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פלס (p-l-s) — to level, to weigh, to make even
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6424 | פָּלַס | the one who weighs out |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6425-02 |
פֶּ֤לֶס | peles | HNcmsa |
just balance | weighing balance | 1 | |
H6425-01 |
בַּ/פֶּ֨לֶס֙ | bapeles | HRd/Ncmsa |
in scales | with a balance-scale | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6425-01 |
Isaiah 40:12 | בַּ/פֶּ֨לֶס֙ | bapeles | HRd/Ncmsa |
in scales | with a balance-scale | |
H6425-02 |
Proverbs 16:11 | פֶּ֤לֶס | peles | HNcmsa |
just balance | weighing balance |