βάλλω
bállō
G906 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To throw or cast something, typically with force or purpose; to let fall, put, or place something, often in a deliberate or active manner. Extended meanings include to pour, to position by throwing (such as casting lots), to throw down or strike, and in some contexts, to lay down or place (without the connotation of violence).
Semantic Range
to throw, to cast, to hurl, to put, to lay, to place, to pour, to strike, to send, to drive, to drop (something), to set down
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root βαλ- (ball-), an old and fundamental verb in Greek with Indo-European roots. Cognate with ῥίπτω (rhiptō), though βάλλω is generally more formal and covers a broader semantic range.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Βάλλω is a widely attested verb in both classical and Hellenistic Greek. In classical usage, it regularly describes throwing objects with the hand (stones, weapons) but is also used metaphorically. In the Septuagint, it translates several Hebrew verbs for 'throwing,' 'casting,' or 'placing.' In the New Testament, its usage remains active and wide-ranging: physical acts of throwing or casting (Mt 5:29, throwing into Gehenna), casting out (excluding someone), placing (such as lying sick or setting something down), or metaphorically casting/bringing forth (as with nets or lots). The English translation tradition renders βάλλω variably as 'cast,' 'throw,' 'lay,' 'put,' and even 'pour,' reflecting this broad semantic scope. Βάλλω differs from ῥίπτω, which tends to indicate throwing with less care or more suddenness. While βάλλω can indicate violence or force, it can also simply mean to put or place, depending on idiom and context.
Translation Consistency
βάλλω most frequently means to throw/cast/hurl. "Throw" is the natural, modern English verb that captures the primary forceful/action sense across contexts (cast down, hurl, throw into, send, drop) while remaining idiomatic. It is preferable to the more formal/archaic "cast" and will yield more natural SIBI renderings even when sense shifts to placing or putting (these can be handled by context or secondary phrasing).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primary verb; to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense):--arise, cast (out), X dung, lay, lie, pour, put (up), send, strike, throw (down), thrust. Compare ῥίπτω.
Root Family
βάλλω (ballō) — to throw, to cast, to put
Word Forms
41 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G906-36 |
ἔβαλεν | ebalen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
cast | he/she/it threw | he/she/it threw | 21 |
G906-01 |
βάλε | bale | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
cast | Throw! | Throw! | 11 |
G906-40 |
ἐβλήθη | eblethe | V AOR PASS IND 3P SG |
was thrown | was cast | was cast | 9 |
G906-38 |
ἔβαλον | ebalon | V AOR ACT IND 3P PL |
they cast | they cast | they threw | 8 |
G906-03 |
βαλεῖν | balein | V AOR ACT INF |
to put | to throw | to throw | 8 |
G906-06 |
βάλλει | ballei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
puts | throws | throws | 6 |
G906-17 |
βάλλουσιν | ballousin | V PRS ACT IND 3P PL |
do they put | they are casting | they are throwing | 4 |
G906-31 |
βληθῆναι | blethenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be thrown | to be cast | to be thrown | 4 |
G906-08 |
βάλλεται | balletai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is thrown | is being cast | is being thrown | 3 |
G906-18 |
βάλω | balo | V AOR ACT SUBJ 1P SG |
put | I may cast | I may put | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
122 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G906-08 |
Matthew 3:10 | βάλλεται | balletai | V PRS PASS IND 3P SG |
is thrown | is being cast | is being thrown |
G906-01 |
Matthew 4:6 | βάλε | bale | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
throw | Throw! | Throw! |
G906-13 |
Matthew 4:18 | βάλλοντας | ballontas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
casting | those casting | those throwing |
G906-30 |
Matthew 5:13 | βληθὲν | blethen | V AOR PASS PTCP NOM N SG |
to_be_thrown | having been cast | having been cast |
G906-32 |
Matthew 5:25 | βληθήσῃ | blethese | V FUT PASS IND 2P SG |
you be cast | you will be cast | you will be cast |
G906-01 |
Matthew 5:29 | βάλε | bale | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
cast | Throw! | Throw! |
G906-27 |
Matthew 5:29 | βληθῇ | blethe | V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P SG |
should be cast | may be cast | may be cast |
G906-01 |
Matthew 5:30 | βάλε | bale | V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG |
throw | Throw! | Throw! |
G906-12 |
Matthew 6:30 | βαλλόμενον | ballomenon | V PRS PASS PTCP ACC M SG |
thrown | being cast | being cast |
G906-04 |
Matthew 7:6 | βάλητε | balete | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P PL |
cast | you may cast | you may throw |