בָּלָה (ba.lah)

ba.lah

Balah

H1088 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

N:N--L

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 1 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N--L

Word Overview

The noun Balah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a proper name for a specific location within the tribal territory of Simeon (Joshua 19:3). Its meaning is derived from the root verb balah, which signifies "to wax old" or "to grow weary." Consequently, the place name likely carries the sense of something ancient, aged, or perhaps worn out by time.

While the lexical data does not elaborate on the history of the settlement itself, the etymology suggests a connection to antiquity. In a landscape often defined by new conquests and fresh allocations of land, this name stands as a linguistic marker of age, distinguishing it from other sites in the inheritance of Simeon.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Balah appears in Joshua 19:3 as part of the land inheritance given to the tribe of Simeon. Derived from a root meaning to grow old or weary, this place name likely points to an ancient settlement that had stood for generations before the Israelites arrived. In a narrative filled with new conquests and fresh allocations, Balah serves as a quiet reminder of history.

For your faith, this single mention highlights how God’s promises unfold in real places with deep roots. It shows that His provision often intersects with existing human history. You can trust that the Lord knows the past and is faithful to bring His people into their inheritance, honoring the timeline He has set.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

and/ Balah1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

וּ/בָלָ֖ה1×

Key Verses

Joshua 19:3
Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,

This verse lists Balah among the cities assigned to Simeon, anchoring the abstract meaning of 'age' in a specific territorial inheritance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Balah mean in the Bible?

Balah is a proper noun derived from the Hebrew root balah, which means to wax old or grow weary. As a place name, it likely signifies an ancient or aged settlement within the territory of Simeon.

Where does Balah appear in Scripture?

It appears only once, in Joshua 19:3, as part of the list of cities allocated to the tribe of Simeon during the division of the Promised Land.

Why is this word significant if it only appears once?

Its significance lies in its etymology. It provides a linguistic marker of antiquity within the tribal boundaries, showing that God’s inheritance included places with long histories.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Joshua 1 verse

Joshua 19:3

Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,