PALṬIYA (PELAṬYA) OF NAWEH:
Palestinian haggadist of the third century. He is cited but once, as author of a derashah. The haggadists consider the phraseology of Eccl. i. 4 peculiar, unless the expression "The earth abideth for ever" implies the perpetuity of Israel. Thereupon Samuel (of the fourth amoraic generation) quotes Pelatiah as teaching that Israel is, indeed, metonymically called "ereẓ" (earth, land). He says, "Scripture states [Judges xviii. 30]: 'Jonathan . . . and his sons were priests of Dan until the exile of the ereẓ'; but since an ereẓ can not be exiled, because it can not be moved, it is evident that Israel [the possessor of the ereẓ] is meant. This is confirmed by Malachi, who, addressing Israel, says [Mal. iii. 12], 'All the nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome ereẓ'" (Eccl. R. i. 4; see Einhorn ad loc.). As to Naweh, comp. Neubauer, "G. T." p. 245, with Hirschensohn, "Meḥḳere Areẓ," s.v. (see also Schwarz, "Toledot ha-Areẓ," ed. Luncz, p. 276; Schürer, "Gesch." 3d ed., ii. 13).
