1087. baleh

Lexicon

baleh: To wear out, to decay, to waste away

Original Word: בָּלֶה
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: baleh
Pronunciation: bah-leh
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-leh')
Definition: To wear out, to decay, to waste away
Meaning: worn out

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

old

From balah; worn out -- old.

see HEBREW balah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from balah
Definition
worn-out
NASB Translation
worn (1), worn-out (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[בָּלֶה] adjective worn out; feminine בָּלָה Ezekiel 23:43 (of a woman, compare Genesis 18:12 above); plural בָּלִים Joshua 9:4 (sacks), Joshua 9:4 (wine-skins), בָּלוֺת Joshua 9:5 (sandals), Joshua 9:5 (garments).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek entry in Strong's Concordance is G3820 (παλαιός, palaios), which similarly denotes something old or worn out. This Greek term is used in the New Testament to describe the old self or the former way of life that believers are encouraged to put off in favor of a renewed life in Christ. The parallel between בָּלֶה and παλαιός highlights the biblical theme of transformation from the old to the new, both in physical and spiritual contexts.

Usage: The term בָּלֶה (bāleh) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe something that is worn out, decayed, or consumed with age or use. It conveys the idea of deterioration or wearing away over time.

Context: The Hebrew word בָּלֶה (bāleh) appears in the context of describing garments or items that have become worn out due to prolonged use. This term is often used metaphorically to illustrate the transient nature of material possessions and the inevitable decay that comes with time. In the Berean Standard Bible, בָּלֶה is used to emphasize the contrast between the temporal and the eternal, highlighting the frailty of human endeavors and the enduring nature of divine promises.

For example, in Joshua 9:13, the Gibeonites deceive the Israelites by showing them their worn-out clothes and provisions, saying, "These wineskins were new when we filled them, but see how they have burst. And our clothes and sandals are worn out from the very long journey." This usage underscores the theme of deception and the passage of time, as the Gibeonites use their worn-out items to feign a long journey.

The concept of being worn out is also used in a broader theological sense to remind believers of the impermanence of earthly life and the importance of focusing on spiritual and eternal truths.

Forms and Transliterations

בָּל֖וֹת בָּל֤וֹת בָּלִ֔ים בָּלִים֙ בלות בלים לַבָּלָ֖ה לבלה bā·lîm bā·lō·wṯ baLim bālîm baLot bālōwṯ lab·bā·lāh labbaLah labbālāh

Englishman's Concordance

Joshua 9:4
HEB: וַיִּקְח֞וּ שַׂקִּ֤ים בָּלִים֙ לַחֲמ֣וֹרֵיהֶ֔ם וְנֹאד֥וֹת
NAS: and took worn-out sacks
KJV: and took old sacks
INT: and took sacks worn-out their donkeys and wineskins

Joshua 9:4
HEB: וְנֹאד֥וֹת יַ֙יִן֙ בָּלִ֔ים וּמְבֻקָּעִ֖ים וּמְצֹרָרִֽים׃
NAS: and wineskins worn-out and torn
KJV: bottles, old, and rent,
INT: and wineskins and wine worn-out and torn and mended

Joshua 9:5
HEB: וּנְעָל֨וֹת בָּל֤וֹת וּמְטֻלָּאוֹת֙ בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם
NAS: and worn-out and patched sandals
KJV: And old shoes and clouted
INT: sandals and worn-out and patched their feet

Joshua 9:5
HEB: בְּרַגְלֵיהֶ֔ם וּשְׂלָמ֥וֹת בָּל֖וֹת עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְכֹל֙
NAS: on their feet, and worn-out clothes
KJV: upon their feet, and old garments
INT: their feet clothes and worn-out on and all

Ezekiel 23:43
HEB: וָאֹמַ֕ר לַבָּלָ֖ה נִֽאוּפִ֑ים [עַתָּ
NAS: Then I said concerning her who was worn out by adulteries,
KJV: Then said I unto [her that was] old in adulteries,
INT: said was worn adulteries commit fornication

5 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1087
5 Occurrences

bā·lîm — 2 Occ.
bā·lō·wṯ — 2 Occ.
lab·bā·lāh — 1 Occ.