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Bible Encyclopedias
Peleg
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (Heb. id. פֶּלֶג, division; Sept. Φαλέγ v. r. Φαλέκ, Φαλέχ; Josephus, Φάλεκος, Ant. 1:6, 5), the son of Eber, and father of Reu (Genesis 11:16-19). B.C. 24152176. He was the elder brother of Joktan, and the fourth in descent from Shem. This name is said to have been given him "because in his days was the earth divided" (Genesis 10:25; 1 Chronicles 1:19). This notice is usually thought to refer, not to the general dispersion of the human family subsequently to the Deluge, but to a division of the family of Eber himself, the younger branch of whom (the Joktanids) migrated into southern Arabia, while the elder remained in Mesopotamia. The name Phaliga occurs for a town at the junction of the Chaboras with the Euphrates; but the late date of the author who mentions the name (Isidorus of Charax) prevents any great stress being laid upon it. The separation of the Joktanids from the stock whence the Hebrews sprang finds a place in the Mosaic table, as marking an epoch in the age immediately succeeding the Deluge. According to others, however, the name indicates a mere earthquake, or at most an actual division of the earth in some geological convulsion, in which islands and continents were separated and formed by volcanic agency, and followed by extensive emigrations (Genesis 9:19; Genesis 10:32; Deuteronomy 32:8-9). Peleg is called Phalec (Φαλέκ ) in the New Test. (Luke 3:35). (See DISPERSION OF NATIONS).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Peleg'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/p/peleg.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
