בָּלַם (ba.lam)
ba.lam
to hold in
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb balam means to curb or hold something back, often with the sense of restraint. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Psalm 32:9 where it describes God’s discipline toward people. The image is one of control, similar to checking a stubborn animal so it does not go its own destructive way.
In this specific context, the word highlights a tension between human will and divine guidance. The psalmist contrasts those who refuse correction with those whom God actively restrains from error. Translators typically render balam as "restrain" or "discipline," capturing the active effort to keep someone on a safe path rather than leaving them to their own impulses.
Its rarity in Scripture gives it a focused weight. By using this term, the text emphasizes that true wisdom involves accepting correction. It suggests that being held back is not necessarily a punishment but a protective measure, guiding the person away from folly and toward understanding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face correction, our instinct is often to resist. We want to go our own way, trusting our own understanding above all else. This Hebrew word describes a gentle but firm holding back, like a bit and bridle guiding a horse. It reminds us that God’s discipline is not about punishment, but protection. He holds us back from paths that would lead to harm.
This image offers comfort rather than fear. Being restrained by God means you are valued enough to be kept safe. It invites us to listen when wisdom speaks, recognizing that submission to divine guidance leads to peace. Instead of fighting the correction, we can rest in the care that holds us steady.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ restrain1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לִ/בְל֑וֹם1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 32:9
Don’t be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.
This verse uses the metaphor of a bit and bridle to illustrate how God restrains those who do not listen, preventing them from going astray.