pa.lach denotes cutting or splitting something, depicted in food preparation, wounding, and breaking up earth.

The attested use chiefly concerns forceful cutting, piercing, or breaking apart: gourds are cut for a stew, internal organs are struck, and earth is broken up. A separate birth scene uses the verb in connection with bringing forth young and labor pains.

1. Cutting, piercing, or breaking apart · dominant

   In 2 Kings 4:39, the Piel sequential imperfect occurs when gathered gourds are prepared for the stew; the APB renders the action “sliced them into the pot.” In Job 16:13 and Proverbs 7:23, Piel imperfect forms occur in clauses about an attack reaching the kidneys or liver, while Psalm 141:7 uses a Qal active participle for one “cleaving and breaking up the earth.”

   2 Kings 4:39Job 16:13Proverbs 7:23Psalm 141:7
2. Action associated with giving birth · rare

   In Job 39:3, the Piel imperfect feminine plural form occurs after the animals crouch and bring forth their young; the APB places the action in the clause “they send out their labor pains.” The translation does not isolate the verb's specific English contribution beyond this birth setting.

   Job 39:3

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the dominant cluster with “sliced,” “pierces,” and “cleaves and breaking up,” reflecting different scenes of cutting or rupture. In Job 39:3 it renders the surrounding birth clause with “send out their labor pains”; The verb's precise contribution there remains less clear.