915. badal
Lexical Summary
badal: piece

Original Word: בָּדָל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: badal
Pronunciation: bah-DAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-dawl')
KJV: piece
NASB: piece
Word Origin: [from H914 (בָּדַל - separated)]

1. a part

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
piece

From badal; a part -- piece.

see HEBREW badal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from badal
Definition
a piece, severed piece
NASB Translation
piece (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[בָּדָל] noun [masculine] piece, severed piece, construct בְּדַלאֹֿזֶן Amos 3:12.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

בָּדָל (Strong’s Hebrew 915) denotes a fragment or separated piece. Though it appears only once, its placement in Amos 3:12 turns a single word into a vivid image of judgment mingled with mercy—an image that ripples through biblical theology.

Biblical Context: Amos 3:12

Amos, prophesying to the affluent Northern Kingdom, warns that impending judgment will leave Israel devastated. The shepherd illustration depicts what will survive after the lion’s attack:

“As a shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion only two legs or a piece of an ear, so will the Israelites in Samaria be rescued—with only the corner of a bed or the cushion of a couch.” (Amos 3:12)

Here בָּדָל highlights the meager remnant—“a piece of an ear.” The emphasis is not on the lion, but on how little is spared. The term therefore embodies both loss (virtually everything is destroyed) and hope (something, however small, is preserved).

Theological Significance: Remnant Motif

1. Divine Judgment: Israel’s covenant breach (Amos 2:6-16) warrants devastation. בָּדָל underscores the thoroughness of God’s discipline; nothing substantial will remain.
2. Divine Mercy: Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant (Isaiah 10:20-22; Romans 11:5). The fragment anticipates the Lord’s pattern of keeping a faithful seed through which He will continue His redemptive plan.
3. Assurance of Covenant Continuity: Though the Northern Kingdom falls, God’s promises to Abraham and David stand. בָּדָל typifies the “few survivors” through whom covenant continuity is maintained (2 Kings 17:6-18, cf. 2 Kings 25:12).

Historical Background

Around 760–750 BC, Israel enjoyed prosperity yet practiced idolatry and social injustice. Assyria’s growing threat loomed. Amos’s prophecy, delivered in this context, foretold the 722 BC fall of Samaria. Archaeology confirms Assyrian policy of deportation and resettlement, leaving only scattered locals—the historical parallel to Amos’s “piece of an ear.”

Ministry and Practical Application

• Sobriety about Sin: בָּדָל warns that sin’s consequences may be severe, leaving only tatters of former strength (Hebrews 10:26-31).
• Hope for the Broken: Even a fragment in God’s hand is significant. He can rebuild from ruins (Nehemiah 2:17-18) and breathe life into dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
• Remnant Faithfulness: Believers are called to persevere as a faithful minority in a compromised culture (1 Peter 2:9-12).
• Shepherd Imagery in Ministry: Pastors are reminded to guard the flock diligently (John 21:15-17), knowing that even small “pieces” matter to the Chief Shepherd.

Related Concepts and Scriptural Links

• Remnant—Isaiah 1:9; Zephaniah 3:12-13
• God’s Relentless Pursuit—Hosea 2:14-23
• Restoration after Judgment—Jeremiah 30:17-22; Acts 15:16-17
• Shepherd Motif—Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:11-18

Summary

בָּדָל captures the paradox of Amos’s message: devastating loss paired with persevering grace. Though judgment may reduce God’s people to a mere “piece of an ear,” His redemptive purposes endure. The word stands as a solemn caution against complacency and a quiet assurance that, however small the remnant, the Lord remains faithful to His covenant and His people.

Forms and Transliterations
בְדַל־ בדל־ ḇə·ḏal- ḇəḏal- vedal
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Amos 3:12
HEB: כְרָעַ֖יִם א֣וֹ בְדַל־ אֹ֑זֶן כֵּ֣ן
NAS: of legs or a piece of an ear, So
KJV: legs, or a piece of an ear;
INT: of legs or A piece of an ear So

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 915
1 Occurrence


ḇə·ḏal- — 1 Occ.

914
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