בָּלַע (ba.la)
ba.la
to swallow up
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 43 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb balaa describes the act of swallowing down, engulfing, or devouring. Its primary sense is physical consumption, often with an image of eagerness or greediness. This root appears in vivid narratives such as the plagues where the waters turn to blood and frogs are consumed (Exodus 7:12), or when Jonah describes being inside the great fish (Jonah 2:1).
Beyond literal eating, balaa carries a strong metaphorical weight for destruction and total loss. It depicts overwhelming forces that leave no trace, as seen in the rebellion of Korah’s group who were swallowed by the earth (Numbers 16:30-32). The word also conveys squandering or ending, such as when Job speaks of enemies devouring his wealth (Job 20:15) or when wisdom is said to be entirely consumed.
A striking usage occurs in Job 7:19, where the phrase "until I swallow down my spittle" signifies a brief pause for breath. This idiom highlights the word’s connection to basic physical limits and relief. Translators render balaa variously as devour, destroy, or swallow up, depending on whether the context involves food, judgment, or exhaustion.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word balaa paints a vivid picture of something being engulfed or swallowed up entirely. In Scripture, this often describes overwhelming forces that leave no trace behind. From the earth opening to swallow rebels in Numbers to thin grain consuming healthy ears in Joseph’s dream, the term highlights total consumption. It reminds us that some situations in life feel like they are swallowing our resources, peace, or even our very presence.
Yet this word also carries a profound sense of relief. In Job 7:19, the weary patriarch asks God to let him swallow his spittle, a simple request for a brief pause from suffering. This usage shows that balaa is not only about destruction but also about the basic physical limits of human endurance. It acknowledges our fragility while pointing to a God who sees our exhaustion.
When we feel overwhelmed by circumstances that seem to devour our stability, this word invites us to bring our raw honesty to God. Whether facing loss or seeking rest, we are reminded that no force is too large for divine perspective. We can find comfort in knowing that even when things feel swallowed up, God remains sovereign over the outcome.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 43 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he has swallowed up3×
- and/ they swallowed2×
- and/ it swallowed up2×
- and/ it swallowed2×
- will you swallow up1×
- when/ swallows up1×
- we have swallowed/ him1×
- we have swallowed up1×
- to/ ruin/ him1×
- they will swallow/ it1×
- they were confused1×
- they have confused1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/תִּבְלַ֥ע2×
- תִּתְבַּלָּֽע\׃1×
- תִּבְלָעֵ֖/נוּ1×
- תִּבְלָעֵ֖/מוֹ1×
- תְּבַלְּעֶֽ/נּוּ\׃1×
- תְבַלַּ֖ע1×
- נִבְלַ֖ע1×
- נִבְלְע֣וּ1×
- נִ֭בְלָעֵ/ם1×
- מִ/בַּלֵּ֑עַ1×
- מְבַלְּעָֽיִ/ךְ\׃1×
- לְ/בַלְּע֥/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 16:32
The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all of Korah’s men, and all their goods.
This verse uses the word to describe a sudden, irreversible judgment where the earth engulfs Korah’s household, emphasizing the finality of divine justice.
-
Job 7:19
How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?
Here the term shifts from destruction to exhaustion, as Job asks for a mere moment of physical relief by swallowing his spittle.
-
Genesis 41:7
The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy and full ears. Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream.
The word illustrates how future famine will completely consume current prosperity, showing the theme of overwhelming loss in Joseph’s dream.
-
Psalms 124:3
then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us,
The psalmist uses this imagery to express how easily enemies could have engulfed Israel alive if God had not intervened.