בָּהַל
𐤁𐤄𐤋
bâhal
H926 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be disturbed or agitated, especially in response to sudden fear, unexpected danger, or strong emotion; to hasten or act rashly as a result of inner agitation. The verb encompasses agitation that is both emotional and physical, including alarm, panic, or hasty action taken out of fear or confusion. In its intensive or causative forms, it can mean to terrify, to dismay, or to cause someone to act hurriedly or thoughtlessly.
Semantic Range
to be disturbed, to be alarmed or agitated, to be terrified, to be dismayed, to be panicked, to act with undue haste, to cause alarm, to cause agitation, to trouble, to throw into confusion, to hasten anxiously, to make rash decisions
Root / Etymology
From the root בהל, which carries the idea of disturbance or agitation. The verb בָּהַל is a primary root with no known cognates in other Semitic languages. It is likely onomatopoeic, representing the sound or sensation of sudden agitation or panic. The meaning at root is 'to be disturbed or alarmed,' developing into the more specific senses of being hasty or acting in panic.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בָּהַל is found throughout various periods of biblical Hebrew, with primary occurrences in wisdom literature (e.g., Ecclesiastes) and narratives where sudden emotional upheaval is described (e.g., Daniel, Psalms, Chronicles). The verb is characteristically used to describe a psychological or emotional state resulting in physical behavior—either a visible trembling or a rushed, anxious action. Later usage (especially post-exilic) may emphasize haste or confusion, while earlier uses stress fear or alarm. The root is distinct from other Hebrew verbs meaning 'to fear' (e.g., יָרֵא 'to fear with reverence, awe') or 'to tremble' (e.g., רָעַד 'to shake physically') in that בָּהַל focuses on inner confusion leading to outward response, not just fear alone. English translations often use 'trouble,' 'dismay,' or 'haste,' but these can obscure the sense of inner turmoil prompting external action. The causative form emphasizes making someone else disturbed or agitated, often in the context of divine or royal messages that provoke sudden anxiety or chaos.
Translation Consistency
"Alarm" is a natural, versatile verb that covers both becoming disturbed/terrified (be alarmed) and causing that disturbance (to alarm someone). It matches the typical usage in the SILEX range—alarm, agitation, fright, and the hasty reactions that follow—while remaining idiomatic and simple for consistent rendering of all forms of H926.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously; be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בהל (b-h-l) — disturbance, alarm, agitation, rash haste
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H924 | בְּהִילוּ | in agitated haste |
| H927 | בְּהַל | in alarmed agitation |
| H928 | בֶּהָלָה | in sudden panic |
Word Forms
29 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H926-10 |
נִבְהֲל֖וּ | nivehalu | HVNp3cp |
were dismayed | they were alarmed | they were alarmed | 6 |
H926-25 |
וְ/יִבָּהֲל֣וּ | veyibahalu | HC/VNi3mp |
and be terrified | and they will be alarmed | and they will be alarmed | 2 |
H926-06 |
נִבְהַ֣ל | nivehal | HVNp3ms |
he was terrified | he was alarmed | he was alarmed | 2 |
H926-13 |
תְּבַהֵ֨ל | tevahel | HVpj2ms |
may you terrify | hasten | 2 | |
H926-07 |
נִבְהָלָה֙ | nivehalah | HVNsfsa |
horrifying | being alarmed | being alarmed | 2 |
H926-24 |
וְֽ/נִבְהָ֓לוּ | venivehalu | HC/VNq3cp |
And they shall be afraid | and they were alarmed | and they were alarmed | 2 |
H926-11 |
נִֽבֳהָ֥ל | nivohal | HVNrmsa |
hastens | the one being alarmed | the one being alarmed | 1 |
H926-04 |
מְבֹהָלִ֥ים | mevohalim | HVPsmpa |
hastened | panic-stricken ones | hastened ones | 1 |
H926-09 |
נִבְהַ֖לְתִּי | nivehaleti | HVNp1cs |
I was dismayed | I was alarmed | I was alarmed | 1 |
H926-17 |
וּֽ/מְבַהֲלִ֥ים | umevahalim | HC/Vprmpa |
and alarming | and the ones causing alarm | and the ones causing alarm | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
39 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H926-10 |
Genesis 45:3 | נִבְהֲל֖וּ | nivehalu | HVNp3cp |
they were dismayed | they were alarmed | they were alarmed |
H926-10 |
Exodus 15:15 | נִבְהֲלוּ֙ | nivehalu | HVNp3cp |
were dismayed | they were alarmed | they were alarmed |
H926-22 |
Judges 20:41 | וַ/יִּבָּהֵ֖ל | vayibahel | HC/VNw3ms |
and panicked | and he became alarmed | and became alarmed |
H926-06 |
1 Samuel 28:21 | נִבְהַ֣ל | nivehal | HVNp3ms |
he was terrified | he was alarmed | he was alarmed |
H926-10 |
2 Samuel 4:1 | נִבְהָֽלוּ | nivehalu | HVNp3cp |
were dismayed | they were alarmed | they were alarmed |
H926-24 |
Isaiah 13:8 | וְֽ/נִבְהָ֓לוּ | venivehalu | HC/VNq3cp |
And they shall be afraid | and they were alarmed | and they were alarmed |
H926-09 |
Isaiah 21:3 | נִבְהַ֖לְתִּי | nivehaleti | HVNp1cs |
I was dismayed | I was alarmed | I was alarmed |
H926-10 |
Jeremiah 51:32 | נִבְהָֽלוּ | nivehalu | HVNp3cp |
are-terrified | they were alarmed | they were alarmed |
H926-14 |
Ezekiel 7:27 | תִּבָּהַ֑לְנָה | tibahalenah | HVNi3fp |
will tremble | they will be alarmed | will tremble |
H926-24 |
Ezekiel 26:18 | וְ/נִבְהֲל֛וּ | venivehalu | HC/VNq3cp |
and will be terrified | and they were alarmed | and they were alarmed |