pa.la denotes extraordinary acts or qualities, and what lies beyond ordinary ability or understanding; it also occurs in vow clauses.

The predominant use identifies extraordinary acts, especially acts attributed to God and remembered, declared, seen, or praised. Other contexts describe a matter as beyond a person's ability or understanding, portray an extraordinary action or result, and occur in clauses concerning the fulfillment or making of a vow.

1. Extraordinary acts and works · dominant

   Niphal participial forms repeatedly occur in clauses about God's acts: in Psalm 105:5 the APB renders the surrounding clause, "Remember the wonderful works he has done," while Psalm 107:24 says that people saw the LORD's deeds and his wonders in the deep. In Exodus 3:20 the plural construct form is attached to the acts by which Egypt will be struck, and in Joshua 3:5 it appears in the announcement that the LORD will do wonders among the people.

   Psalm 105:5Psalm 107:24Exodus 3:20Joshua 3:5Job 37:51 Chronicles 16:24
2. Beyond ability or understanding · common

   Niphal imperfect and participial forms mark matters that exceed a person's capacity or comprehension. In Genesis 18:14 the APB renders the question, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"; in Deuteronomy 17:8 the matter for judgment is "too difficult for you"; and in Job 42:3 the speaker declares wonders beyond his knowledge.

   Genesis 18:14Deuteronomy 17:8Deuteronomy 30:11Jeremiah 32:17Jeremiah 32:27Job 42:3
3. Doing or producing an extraordinary result · occasional

   Hiphil forms occur where the clause presents an extraordinary deed, result, or quality. In Isaiah 29:14 the APB renders the announced action as doing "a wonder" among the people; in Deuteronomy 28:59 it describes extraordinary plagues; and in Isaiah 28:29 counsel is presented as wonderful.

   Isaiah 29:14Deuteronomy 28:59Isaiah 28:29Judges 13:192 Chronicles 26:15
4. Vow-related action · rare

   In sacrifice and valuation instructions, Piel infinitive constructs occur in clauses about fulfilling a vow, while a Hiphil imperfect occurs when a man makes a vow. In Numbers 15:3 the APB renders the clause "to fulfill a vow," and Leviticus 27:2 introduces the case, "When a man makes a vow."

   Numbers 15:3Leviticus 22:21Leviticus 27:2

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly presents the term's contexts with "wonders," "wonderful works," or "wondrous acts," while other clauses are rendered "too difficult," "a wonder," or "to fulfill a vow." Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these renderings confirm the clauses' overall presentation rather than supplying a fixed English equivalent.