בָּלַק (ba.laq)
ba.laq
to waste
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb balaq means to lay waste or devastate, describing a thorough destruction that leaves land empty and ruined. It carries the weight of total loss, implying that what was once inhabited or productive has been stripped bare. In its rare biblical appearance, it serves as a stark warning of the consequences of divine judgment on a nation.
This word occurs only once in Scripture, found in Isaiah 62:8. There, God swears by His right hand and mighty arm that He will no longer give the people’s grain to enemies for others to eat. The context contrasts their previous suffering with a future promise of restoration, using balaq to describe the devastation they are being rescued from. The verb emphasizes not just defeat, but the erasure of agricultural life and community stability.
Its root suggests a stripping away or emptying out, reinforcing the image of a land rendered useless. Translators typically render it as "waste" or "lay waste," capturing the finality of the action. The single occurrence highlights how severe such destruction was considered in ancient Israelite thought, making the promise of protection in Isaiah all the more significant.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word balaq describes a profound emptiness, where land is stripped bare and life seems erased. In Isaiah 62:8, this term highlights the severity of the devastation Israel faced, leaving them vulnerable and without sustenance. It paints a picture of total loss, where the fruits of labor are taken and communities are scattered.
Yet, this stark imagery serves to magnify the promise that follows. God swears by His mighty arm that He will no longer allow this waste to continue. The contrast between the desolation described and the coming restoration offers a powerful reminder of divine protection. When all seems lost, the assurance of God's intervention brings hope.
For believers today, this word underscores the value of what we hold dear and the security found in God's faithfulness. It invites us to trust that He preserves what is His own, turning potential ruin into a testimony of His sustaining grace and care for His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [is] about to devastate/ it1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בֽוֹלְקָ֑/הּ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 24:1
Behold, Yahweh makes the earth empty, makes it waste, turns it upside down, and scatters its inhabitants.
This verse uses the related concept of making the earth empty to illustrate the comprehensive nature of divine judgment, setting a backdrop for understanding the severity of loss implied by balaq.