בָּלָה
to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)
Definition
The Hebrew verb בָּלָה (bâlâh) primarily means 'to wear out,' 'to become old,' or 'to decay.' It describes the natural process of deterioration, as seen in clothing that wears out (Deuteronomy 8:4, 29:5) or a person growing old (Genesis 18:12). In a causative sense, it can mean 'to spend' or 'to consume,' such as consuming time or resources (Joshua 9:13). The word also carries a sense of 'failing' or being exhausted, as in Job 13:28, where a person is described as decaying like a moth-eaten garment.
Biblical Usage
בָּלָה is used 15 times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative and poetic books. It appears in contexts of physical wear and decay, like clothing and sandals that did not wear out during the wilderness wanderings (Deuteronomy 8:4, Nehemiah 9:21). It also describes the aging of people (Genesis 18:12) and the consumption of resources, such as old wineskins (Joshua 9:13). In Job, it metaphorically depicts human frailty (Job 13:28) and the fleeting prosperity of the wicked (Job 21:13).
Etymology
בָּלָה is a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew word. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'balû,' which can mean 'to wear out' or 'to become old,' supporting the core idea of deterioration or aging over time.
Semantic Range
This word highlights themes of human transience and divine providence. In passages like Deuteronomy 8:4, the non-wearing of clothing symbolizes God's miraculous, sustaining care for Israel in the wilderness. Conversely, its use in Job 13:28 underscores human mortality and fragility, contrasting with God's eternal nature. Understanding בָּלָה enriches reading by emphasizing the temporal nature of creation and the need for reliance on God's enduring provision.
In ancient Israelite culture, items like clothing and sandals were valuable and durable goods. The fact that they did not wear out for 40 years (Deuteronomy 29:5) would have been a powerful, tangible sign of God's supernatural provision in a harsh desert environment, far beyond normal expectations of material longevity.
יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — focuses on drying up or withering, often of plants or land, rather than general wear. כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — means to finish, complete, or consume entirely, often with a sense of completion or destruction, not just gradual decay.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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