Lexical Summary batal: To cease, to be idle, to be inactive, to be useless Original Word: בָּטֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cease A primitive root; to desist from labor -- cease. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to cease NASB Translation stand idle (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [בָּטַל] verb cease (Late Hebrew בָּטֵל, Arabic  , Ethiopic  both be futile, vain, but Assyrian ba‰âlu, cease LotzTP 68, so Aramaic בְּטֵיל,  ) — Qal Perfect וּבָֽטְליּ consecutive Ecclesiastes 12:3 and the grinders cease. I. בטן (meaning dubious; √ of following). [בְּטֵל] verb cease (late Biblical Hebrew); — Pe`al Perfect3feminine singular בְּטִלַת Ezra 4:24, Participle feminine singular בָּֽטְלָא Ezra 4:24 (both of work). Pa`el make to cease, accusative of person: Perfect3masculine plural בַּטִּ֫לוּ Ezra 4:23; Ezra 5:5; Infinitive לְבַטָּלָא Ezra 4:21, accusative of person omitted Ezra 6:3. Topical Lexicon Overview בָּטֵל (Strong’s 988) captures the idea of becoming idle, inactive, or ceasing from productive labor. In its single Old Testament occurrence, the word supplies vivid poetic color to Solomon’s closing portrait of advancing age (Ecclesiastes 12:3), providing a springboard for broader biblical reflection on diligence versus sloth. Scriptural Usage Ecclesiastes 12:3 forms part of an extended allegory in which the physical decline of old age is likened to a household falling into disrepair. The phrase “the grinders cease because they are few” employs בָּטֵל to describe how the millstones (symbolizing teeth) fall idle. The imagery is neither sterile description nor morbid lament; it underscores the transience of earthly strength and the urgency of honoring God “before the days of adversity come” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Theological Themes 1. Mortality and Humility. בָּטֵל reminds readers that even life’s most routine tasks ultimately halt before human frailty. The wise respond not with despair but with reverent remembrance of the Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:6–7). Historical and Cultural Setting Hand-grinding grain was fundamental to ancient Near Eastern households. The cessation of the “grinders” therefore signaled more than lost teeth; it foretold economic vulnerability and social dependence. In Israel’s agrarian society, productivity meant survival. Consequently, a word expressing stoppage of labor carried weighty implications for community welfare and covenantal responsibility to care for the aged (Leviticus 19:32). Practical Ministry Implications • Encouraging Youthful Zeal: Ecclesiastes 12:3 exhorts churches to cultivate industry and spiritual fervor while strength abounds. Paul echoes this urgency: “Look carefully then how you walk… redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Related Passages Proverbs 14:23; Proverbs 18:9; Ecclesiastes 10:18; Matthew 25:24-30; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12; Hebrews 6:11-12; Revelation 3:15-16. Conclusion Though בָּטֵל appears only once, it encapsulates the sobering reality that all earthly endeavor eventually pauses. Scripture answers this realism with a twofold summons: labor diligently while opportunity lasts, and anchor hope in the God who promises eternal, undefiled inheritance to those who remain faithful. Forms and Transliterations וּבָטְל֤וּ ובטלו ū·ḇā·ṭə·lū ūḇāṭəlū uvateLuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ecclesiastes 12:3 HEB: אַנְשֵׁ֣י הֶחָ֑יִל וּבָטְל֤וּ הַטֹּֽחֲנוֹת֙ כִּ֣י NAS: the grinding ones stand idle because KJV: themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, INT: men and mighty stand the grinding because 1 Occurrence |
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