בִּלְתִּי (bil.ti)
bil.ti
lest
H:CondQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 89 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:Cond
Word Overview
The Hebrew word bilti functions as a versatile negative particle, primarily meaning "not," "except," or "lest." Its core sense derives from the idea of failure or emptiness, which evolved into a general marker for negation. In Scripture, it often appears with prepositions to create nuanced meanings like "without" or "unless," serving as a critical tool for setting boundaries and conditions in legal and narrative texts.
A key distinction lies in its use after another negation to mean "except." For example, in Genesis 21:26, Abraham points out that he took the sheep "except" for those mentioned, clarifying a previous negative statement. This usage helps refine logical statements, ensuring precision in agreements and prohibitions found throughout the Pentateuch.
The word also carries a strong sense of purpose or result, often translated as "so as not" or "in order that... not." In Exodus 8:22, God sets a boundary for Israel "that no" harm should come to them in Goshen. This highlights bilti’s role in defining divine protection and the specific limits of judgment, particularly in the prophetic books like Jeremiah where it underscores the consequences of disobedience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bilti often translates as 'lest' or 'so that... not,' marking a boundary between action and consequence. It appears in moments where God sets clear limits to protect His people, such as warning against forgetting Him in Deuteronomy 8:11. This usage reminds us that divine commands are not arbitrary restrictions but safeguards for our well-being.
When we encounter this term in Scripture, it highlights the importance of obedience as a response to God's care. It invites reflection on how our choices align with His will, ensuring that we remain within the path He has set before us. This awareness fosters a heart attentive to His guidance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 89 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ not63×
- except10×
- not8×
- and/ to/ not6×
- except/ me1×
- [is] not1×
- [is] except/ you1×
- [is] except1×
- <of> not1×
- <from>/ because not1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֖י15×
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֥י11×
- בִּלְתִּ֥י11×
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֛י6×
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֤י5×
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֣י5×
- בִּלְתִּ֖י5×
- לְ/בִלְתִּי\־4×
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֨י4×
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֧י3×
- לְ/בִלְתִּ֗י3×
- וּ/לְ/בִלְתִּ֛י3×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 8:11
Beware lest you forget Yahweh your God, in not keeping his commandments, his ordinances, and his statutes, which I command you today;
This verse uses bilti to warn against forgetting God, linking obedience directly to the preservation of memory and faithfulness.
-
Genesis 38:9
Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground, lest he should give offspring to his brother.
Here bilti explains Onan's motive, showing how the word clarifies intent behind actions that violated familial duty.
-
Exodus 20:20
Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.”
Moses uses this concept to explain that God's purpose in testing is to instill a fear that prevents sin, not to cause harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word bilti mean?
How is bilti different from other Hebrew negations?
Where does bilti appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (89 verses across 20 books)
Genesis 8 verses
God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
Genesis 4:15Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign…
Genesis 19:21He said to him, “Behold, I have granted your request concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow the city of…
Genesis 21:26Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”
Genesis 38:9Onan knew that the offspring wouldn’t be his; and when he went in to his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the…
Genesis 43:3Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is…
Genesis 43:5but if you don’t send him, we won’t go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is…
Genesis 47:18When that year was ended, they came to him the second year, and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord how our…