בְּהִילוּ (be.hi.lu)
be.hi.lu
hastely
A:AdvQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:Adv
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun behilu denotes haste or hurried action, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Ezra 4:23. In this specific context, it describes the speed with which the work on Jerusalem’s walls was completed under royal decree. The term captures a sense of rapid execution, reflecting the urgency of the political situation and the authority behind the command.
Etymologically, behilu derives from the root halal, which generally means to dismay or be terrified. This connection suggests that the haste described here is not merely efficient but driven by fear or intense pressure. The builders acted quickly because they were compelled by a powerful force, linking the physical speed of their labor to an underlying emotional state of alarm.
Translators typically render this word as "hastily" or "with haste." Its singular occurrence highlights a unique moment in Ezra’s narrative where external pressure accelerated construction. The word serves as a brief but vivid marker of the tension between opposition and divine provision, showing how fear can drive rapid action in the face of authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word behilu appears just once in Scripture, describing a rush driven by fear rather than faith. In Ezra 4:23, enemies moved quickly to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. Their haste came from alarm at the king’s decree, not from spiritual conviction. This shows how pressure can force action, even when that action opposes God’s purposes.
For your life, this reminds us that speed is not always a sign of divine favor. Sometimes urgency stems from anxiety or external threats. When you feel rushed by circumstances, pause and discern the source. Is it fear driving you, or peace guiding you? Trusting God means acting with wisdom, not just velocity.
God’s plans unfold in His timing, not ours. Even when opponents move swiftly to hinder progress, divine sovereignty remains intact. You can rest knowing that your steps are ordered by the Lord, regardless of how fast others run against you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ haste1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִ/בְהִיל֤וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:23
Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force of arms.
This verse uses behilu to show how fear of royal authority compelled enemies to act quickly and violently against the Jewish workers.