Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews pelek, a "circle"), the instrument used for twisting threads by a whirl (Proverbs 31:19). Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand. 2. (n.) Used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DISTAFF dis'-taf (pelekh): This word occurs once in Proverbs 31:19; "spindle" is found in the same passage. In the Revised Version (British and American) the meanings of the two words have been exchanged. See SPINNING.

Multi-Version Concordance Distaff (2 Occurrences) 2 Samuel 3:29 May it come on the head of Joab and all his father's family: among the men of Joab's family may there ever be some who are diseased or lepers, or who do the work of women, or are put to the sword, or are wasted from need of food! (See NAS) Proverbs 31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)