בְּלָא
to afflict
Definition
The Hebrew verb בְּלָא (bᵉlâʼ) means to wear out, afflict, or exhaust, particularly in a mental or spiritual sense. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 7:25, it describes the oppressive actions of a tyrannical king who 'shall wear out the saints of the Most High,' indicating a prolonged campaign of persecution designed to break their resolve. This differs from its physical counterpart בָּלָה (H1086), which refers to literal wearing out of objects. Here, the focus is on the deliberate mental and spiritual affliction inflicted upon God's people.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in the context of apocalyptic prophecy (Daniel 7:25), describing the oppressive strategy of a future hostile power against the faithful. The usage is specific to a context of eschatological persecution, where the aim is to exhaust the saints through sustained adversity.
Etymology
בְּלָא (bᵉlâʼ) is an Aramaic verb used in the Hebrew Bible. It corresponds to the Hebrew root בָּלָה (H1086, bālâ), which generally means 'to become worn out' or 'to decay' in a physical sense. However, in its Aramaic form in Daniel, the meaning shifts to a non-physical, psychological, or spiritual sense of wearing down or afflicting someone.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the nature of spiritual warfare and persecution faced by God's people, especially in eschatological contexts. In Daniel 7:25, it describes the enemy's intent not just to physically harm but to mentally and spiritually exhaust the saints. Understanding this term enriches the reading of prophecy by highlighting the targeted, persistent nature of opposition to faith, which ultimately fails because God's kingdom is everlasting (Daniel 7:27).
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of 'wearing out' an opponent was a recognized military and political strategy, aiming to defeat them through attrition and sustained pressure rather than a single battle. Daniel's use of this term would resonate with an audience familiar with the protracted struggles of small nations against imperial powers, framing their spiritual conflict in familiar terms of endurance.
עָנָה (ʿānâ, H6031) — generally means to afflict, oppress, or humble; often used more broadly for physical and social hardship. בָּלָה (bālâ, H1086) — the Hebrew cognate meaning to wear out, decay, or become old, typically referring to physical objects (like garments).
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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