בָּלֶה
worn out
Definition
The Hebrew noun בָּלֶה (bâleh) describes something that is worn out, old, or used up. It primarily refers to physical objects that have deteriorated through age or use, such as old sacks and wineskins in Joshua 9:4-5. In Ezekiel 23:43, the term is used metaphorically to describe a woman worn out by adultery, extending the sense to moral or physical exhaustion. The word consistently carries a negative connotation of depletion and uselessness.
Biblical Usage
בָּלֶה appears only three times in the Old Testament. In Joshua 9:4-5, it describes the Gibeonites' deceptive props—old sacks and worn-out wineskins—to feign a long journey. In Ezekiel 23:43, the prophet uses it figuratively for the adulterous Oholibah, who is 'worn out' by her promiscuity. The usage shows a pattern from literal, physical wear (Joshua) to metaphorical, moral decay (Ezekiel).
Etymology
בָּלֶה derives from the root בָּלָה (H1086), meaning 'to wear out,' 'become old,' or 'consume.' This root conveys the process of deterioration through use or time. Cognates in other Semitic languages share similar meanings related to aging and decay. The noun form specifically denotes the state or result of that wearing-out process.
Semantic Range
This word highlights the biblical theme of impermanence and decay in contrast to God's enduring nature. In Joshua, it underscores human deceit and the consequences of not consulting God (Joshua 9:14). In Ezekiel, it illustrates the spiritual exhaustion resulting from idolatry and unfaithfulness, serving as a warning against moral corruption. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing the tangible results of sin and time.
In ancient Israel, items like wineskins and sacks were essential for travel and storage; when worn out (בָּלֶה), they were unreliable and needed replacement. The Gibeonites' use of such items in Joshua 9 would have been a culturally recognizable sign of a long journey, making their deceit plausible. The metaphorical use in Ezekiel reflects a cultural view of adultery as physically and socially depleting.
יָשָׁן (yāšān, H3465) — general term for 'old' without the negative connotation of wear; בָּלָה (bālâ, H1086) — the verbal root meaning 'to wear out' or 'consume.'
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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