Lexical Summary balag: To be cheerful, to be glad Original Word: בָּלַג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance comfort, recover strengthen A primitive root; to break off or loose (in a favorable or unfavorable sense), i.e. Desist (from grief) or invade (with destruction) -- comfort, (recover) strength(-en). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to gleam, smile NASB Translation cheerful (1), flashes forth (1), have a cheer (1), smile (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [בָּלַג] verb gleam, smile (Arabic  ) — only Hiph`il Imperfect1singular with וְ subordinate וְאַבְ֫לִיגָה Job 9:27 2t.; Participle מַבְלִיג Amos 5:9; — 1 shew a smile, look cheerful Psalm 39:14; Job 9:27; Job 10:20. 2 cause to burst or flash שֹׁד עלעָֿ֑ז ׳המב Amos 5:9 (compare Ew St). Topical Lexicon Overview of the Verb’s ImageryAcross its four inspired appearances, the verb evokes the idea of a sudden change of countenance—either brightening with cheer or, by extension, a lightning-like flash that overwhelms the strong. Whether directed toward a suffering individual or a proud nation, the action is always decisive and transforming: a face lifts, a spirit revives, a fortress falls in a moment. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Job 9:27 – Job imagines “I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and smile”. The verb pictures an intentional effort to replace gloom with brightness, though Job quickly admits the attempt is futile without divine intervention. 2. Job 10:20 – In near-despair he pleads, “Withdraw from me, that I may have a little comfort.” The request is not for leisure but for a brief God-granted reprieve in which his spirit might lift before death. 3. Psalm 39:13 – David prays, “Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.” The psalmist believes renewed cheer is possible only if the Lord eases disciplinary pressure. 4. Amos 5:9 – “He flashes destruction on the strong, so that fury comes upon the fortress.” The same verb that can lighten a face now describes Yahweh’s swift judgment, striking with the brilliance and speed of lightning. Thematic Significance Suffering and Consolation Job and David show that true inner brightening is a gift from God, not the product of human resolve. Attempts at self-generated cheer (Job 9:27) collapse under the weight of unrelieved affliction; only divine mercy grants authentic solace (Job 10:20; Psalm 39:13). Sovereign Judgment Amos broadens the verb’s range from personal to national. The Lord who can lift a face can also hurl a blinding stroke of ruin. Consolation and calamity thus stem from the same sovereign hand, reinforcing Scripture’s united testimony that God alone determines the fortunes of individuals and kingdoms. The Fragility of Human Strength Whether Job’s limited resilience or Israel’s fortified strongholds, human strength is shown to be fleeting. One flash—of joy or of wrath—reverses the situation. The verb therefore humbles the reader, pointing away from self-confidence toward reliance on God. Ministry and Counseling Applications Pastoral Care These texts encourage honest acknowledgment of pain. Job and David do not minimize their anguish; they bring it to God and seek His relieving touch. Counselors may guide sufferers to emulate this pattern rather than pursue empty positive thinking. Intercession Psalm 39:13 legitimizes praying for seasons of relief even when discipline is deserved. Petitioners may ask the Lord to “turn His gaze” momentarily so that weary saints can recover strength for continued obedience. Prophetic Warning Amos 5:9 warns communities that social or military might cannot resist a divine “flash.” Preaching that incorporates this text calls hearers to repentance, reminding them that the God who comforts is also the God who confronts. Christological Perspective At the cross the paradox of this verb converges: the Father “turned His gaze” (Matthew 27:46), and judgment “flashed” against sin, yet the resurrection three days later lifted the countenance of all who believe (Luke 24:52). In Christ, believers experience both the seriousness of divine wrath and the ultimate, irrevocable cheer of redemption. Conclusion The Spirit employs this brief verb to illustrate how swiftly God can alter circumstances, hearts, and histories. Its dual notes of consolation and judgment compel reliance on His mercy and reverent fear of His power, urging every generation to seek the light of His favor before the final flash of His justice. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּבְלִ֥יג המבליג וְאַבְלִ֑יגָה וְאַבְלִ֥יגָה וְאַבְלִֽיגָה׃ ואבליגה ואבליגה׃ ham·maḇ·lîḡ hammaḇlîḡ hammavLig veavLigah wə’aḇlîḡāh wə·’aḇ·lî·ḡāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 9:27 HEB: אֶעֶזְבָ֖ה פָנַ֣י וְאַבְלִֽיגָה׃ NAS: off my [sad] countenance and be cheerful,' KJV: my heaviness, and comfort [myself]: INT: will leave my countenance and comfort Job 10:20 Psalm 39:13 Amos 5:9 4 Occurrences |
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