בָּל
𐤁𐤋
bâl
H1079 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of disquiet, anxiety, or distress, with a particular focus on internal emotional agitation; by extension, can refer metonymically to the heart as the seat of such anxiety.
Semantic Range
anxiety, internal turmoil, distress, (figuratively) heart as the seat of anxiety, troubled mind
Root / Etymology
Aramaic, from the root בלא (b-l-ʾ), meaning 'to be worn out, consumed, distressed.' The form בָּל is a noun deriving from this root, indicating a state of anxiety or emotional unrest. The Hebrew equivalent root (בלע or בלה) carries a similar sense of wear, fading, or being consumed, but in Aramaic, the semantic development focuses more on emotional and existential weariness.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term בָּל appears in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, notably in Daniel. It conveys a sense of emotional unrest or anxiety, sometimes represented by 'heart' in translations — not as the anatomical organ, but as the figurative seat of thoughts and feelings. In Daniel, where the existential condition of court officials is described, בָּל captures a sense of anxiety or inner disturbance. The translation 'heart' is partly a metonym for internal state, rather than a reference to the physical heart. This use aligns with broader West Semitic associations of the heart or inner person with emotional states. Standard English translations may obscure the nuance by translating בָּל as 'heart' rather than explicitly as 'anxiety' or 'distress.' Related Hebrew terms for 'heart' (לֵב, לֵבָב) are more common and have a broader semantic range; בָּל is more specialized and context-dependent, especially in Aramaic contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) from בְּלָא; properly, anxiety, i.e. (by implication) the heart (as its seat); heart.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בלה (b-l-h) — wear out, decay, fail
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1077 | בַּל | not at all |
| H1080 | בְּלָא | he will wear down |
| H1086 | בָּלָה | they wore out |
| H1087 | בָּלֶה | worn-out ones |
| H1088 | בָּלָה | and Balah |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1079-01 |
בָּ֖ל | bal | ANcmsa |
heart | not at all | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1079-01 |
Daniel 6:15 | בָּ֖ל | bal | ANcmsa |
heart | not at all |