Pallu is a Hebrew name meaning "distinguished." In the Old Testament, Pallu is the second son of Reuben, as listed in Genesis 46:9, Exodus 6:14, and Numbers 26:5. He is counted among the 70 members of Jacob's household who migrated to Egypt, where the Israelites would eventually be enslaved. The name is derived from the Hebrew root פָלָה (pala), meaning "to distinguish" or "to separate."
Biblical Significance
Pallu plays a minor but genealogically necessary role as the eponymous ancestor of the Palluites, a clan of the tribe of Reuben (Numbers 26:5). The families descending from Pallu, including the Palluite clan, are mentioned in the census taken after the exodus from Egypt. Although Pallu is rarely featured in later narratives, his name underscores a common biblical motif—meaning that his firstborn stood out or was set apart among Reuben's sons.
Variants and Usage
In some English translations and the King James Version, the name is alternatively rendered as Phallu. It is exclusively found in biblical contexts and is seldom used as a given name in modern times. The name belongs to the English Bible and Hebrew Bible usage groups, reflecting its origin in scriptural texts.
- Meaning: "Distinguished"
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Biblical
- Usage: English Bible, Hebrew Bible
- Related: Father Reuben, Brother Hanoch, Phallu (variant)
Sources: Wiktionary — Pallu