Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary
פלש
The verb פלש (palash) describes a rather hysterical action, induced by grief and involving dust or ashes to roll around in. It occurs in the Bible a mere four times: Micah 1:10, Ezekiel 27:30, Jeremiah 6:26 and 25:34.
BDB Theological Dictionary hints at similar verbs in cognate languages, which reveal the more fundamental meaning of to break into or through, dig a hole or burrow.
Some scholars have proposed that this verb's fundamental meaning is to roll (around in ashes, for instance). Perhaps this verb reflects the act of diving into a heap of ashes, or perhaps it reflects the feeling of being pierced though by some great grief. Perhaps it does all of the above.
פלס
The noun פלס (peles) refers to a scale or balance. It occurs only twice in the Bible, namely in Proverbs 16:11 and Isaiah 40:12. From this noun derives:
- The denominative verb פלס (palas), meaning to level, balance or use a scale. This verb is used half a dozen times, mostly in the context of leveling paths to progress on (Psalm 58:2, 78:50, Proverbs 4:26, 5:6, 5:21, Isaiah 26:7).
Regardless of whether these two verbs are etymologically related, the proverbial exalting of every valley and bringing low of every mountain (Isaiah 40:4) would probably be deeply traumatic for those who live there.