בָּלַל (ba.lal)
ba.lal
to mix; to feed
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 40 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb balal primarily means to mix or mingle things together. In the Old Testament, it often describes the blending of different elements, such as mixing grain with chaff or combining distinct groups of people. This sense of mixture sometimes carries a negative connotation, implying confusion or disorder when separate things are joined inappropriately.
A notable secondary meaning appears in Judges 19:21, where balal refers to feeding animals provender. This specific usage highlights the word’s root connection to nourishment and care, showing how mixing substances can be an act of sustenance rather than just confusion. The sources indicate this agricultural sense is distinct from its more common abstract uses.
The word also appears in descriptions of divine actions, such as confusing languages at Babel, where the mingling of speech led to separation. Translators often render balal as "confuse" in these contexts, capturing the idea that mixing things can disrupt clarity or order. This dual nature of mixture—creating both unity and chaos—gives the word its theological weight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word balal carries a dual meaning that reflects how God interacts with our world. At Babel, it describes the confusing of languages, showing how mixing can lead to separation and disorder when human pride seeks to reach heaven on its own terms. This usage reminds us that clarity and unity come from God, not from our own efforts to control or elevate ourselves.
Yet in the tabernacle instructions, balal appears in the preparation of grain offerings mixed with oil. Here, mixing is an act of worship and sustenance, bringing together distinct elements to create something pleasing to the Lord. This shows that mixture is not always negative; when we offer our lives to God, He can blend our varied experiences and gifts into a coherent witness.
For your daily walk, this word invites trust in God’s ordering of your life. When circumstances feel confusing or disjointed, remember that the same God who mixed oil and flour for sacrifice is also the one who brings peace from chaos. You are not left to manage the confusion alone; He provides the clarity and nourishment needed for each step.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- mixed38×
- he mixes himself1×
- he confused1×
- and/ let us confuse1×
- and/ he fed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּלוּלָ֥ה16×
- בְּלוּלָ֣ה11×
- בְּלוּלֹ֣ת4×
- בָּל֥וּל2×
- יִתְבּוֹלָ֑ל1×
- וַ/יָּ֖בָל1×
- וְ/נָבְלָ֥ה1×
- בָּלַ֥ל1×
- בָּל֨וּל1×
- בָּל֕וּל1×
- בְּלוּלֹ֥ת1×
- בְּלוּלָ֛ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 11:7
Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
This verse uses balal to describe God actively confusing human language, demonstrating His sovereignty over human plans and the limits of collective pride.
-
Exodus 29:2
unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. You shall make them of fine wheat flour.
Here balal describes the careful mixing of flour and oil for priestly garments and offerings, showing how deliberate combination can be part of holy service.
-
Leviticus 2:4
“‘When you offer an offering of a meal offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
The mixing of fine flour with oil in meal offerings illustrates how ordinary ingredients become sacred when prepared according to God’s specific instructions.
-
Numbers 7:13
and his offering was: one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;
Repeated throughout the tribal leaders' offerings, this usage highlights the consistency and orderliness of worship, where mixing follows divine pattern rather than chaos.