(Aramaic) corresponding to בָּלָה (but used only in a mental sense); to afflict; wear out.
Transliteration:bᵉlâʼ
Pronunciation:bel-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb בְּלָא (bᵉlâʼ), Strong's `{{H1080}}`, carries the primary meaning of "to wear out" or "to afflict." Its base definition highlights a crucial distinction: while it corresponds to the Hebrew בָּלָה (balah) `{{H1086}}`, which often refers to physical decay or wearing out (e.g., old garments), בְּלָא is specifically noted for its application in a *mental* or *spiritual* sense. This means the "wearing out" is not of physical objects, but rather of the inner person, their resolve, patience, or spiritual fortitude. The semantic range thus encompasses concepts of mental exhaustion, spiritual oppression, psychological distress, and the gradual erosion of hope or faith through sustained pressure or persecution. It implies a process of attrition, where an entity or individual is slowly debilitated or diminished from within.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The most significant and illustrative occurrence of בְּלָא (bᵉlâʼ) in the biblical text is found in the book of Daniel, an Aramaic portion of the Old Testament. Its sole direct appearance in this sense is in:
* **[[Daniel 7:25]]**: "He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time."
In this prophetic passage, בְּלָא describes the oppressive action of the "little horn," a symbolic figure representing an adversarial power. The phrase "wear out the saints of the Most High" (וְיַבְלֵא לְקַדִּישֵׁי עֶלְיוֹנִין) is profoundly significant. It goes beyond mere physical persecution or martyrdom. It speaks to a sustained, insidious campaign designed to exhaust, discourage, and spiritually drain God's people. This "wearing out" implies a prolonged period of intense pressure, false accusations, spiritual deception, and relentless opposition aimed at breaking the resolve, faith, and endurance of believers. The context of changing "times and the law" further underscores the spiritual and ideological nature of this attrition, seeking to undermine the very foundations of divine order and truth. The verb here denotes a continuous, debilitating action, not a single event.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its Hebrew counterpart, בָּלָה (balah) `{{H1086}}`, which shares the core meaning of "to wear out" or "decay." However, as noted, בְּלָא (bᵉlâʼ) specifically applies this concept to the mental or spiritual realm, whereas בָּלָה can apply to physical objects (e.g., old clothes in [[Deuteronomy 8:4]], [[Joshua 9:5]]).
Other related concepts, though not direct lexical equivalents, include:
* **Affliction/Oppression**: Words like עָנָה (anah) `{{H6031}}` (to humble, afflict) or לָחַץ (lachats) `{{H3905}}` (to oppress, squeeze) convey the idea of suffering, but בְּלָא adds the nuance of gradual, sustained erosion.
* **Persecution**: The broader concept of persecution (e.g., רָדַף radaph `{{H7291}}`, to pursue) often involves physical harm, but בְּלָא emphasizes the internal and psychological toll.
* **Endurance/Perseverance**: The need for these virtues (e.g., סָבַל saval `{{H5445}}`, to bear; קָוָה qavah `{{H6960}}`, to wait, hope) is highlighted by the nature of the "wearing out" process. The saints are called to endure precisely because the affliction is designed to exhaust them.
* **Spiritual Warfare**: The concept of a spiritual battle against forces that seek to undermine faith and discourage believers is implicitly present.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of בְּלָא (bᵉlâʼ) is profound, particularly as revealed in [[Daniel 7:25]]. It offers a crucial insight into the nature of spiritual warfare and the tactics of adversarial powers against God's people:
1. **Nature of Spiritual Persecution**: It reveals that the enemy's strategy is not solely physical violence but includes a deliberate, prolonged effort to exhaust the saints mentally and spiritually. This "wearing out" aims to break their will, diminish their faith, and cause them to abandon their convictions. It speaks to the insidious nature of spiritual attrition.
2. **Call for Endurance**: The prophecy inherently underscores the necessity of divine strength and perseverance for believers. Knowing that such a "wearing out" will occur prepares the saints for a long and arduous struggle, emphasizing that their victory lies in steadfast endurance rather than immediate escape from tribulation.
3. **Sovereignty of God**: Despite the formidable nature of the power that "wears out the saints," the passage immediately sets a divine limit: "for a time, times, and half a time." This demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty over even the most oppressive forces, assuring believers that their affliction, though severe, is finite and under His control.
4. **Prophetic Warning and Comfort**: בְּלָא serves as both a warning about future tribulation and a source of comfort. It warns believers to be vigilant against subtle, long-term spiritual attacks, while simultaneously offering the assurance that God is aware of their suffering and will ultimately deliver them.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb בְּלָא (bᵉlâʼ), Strong's `{{H1080}}`, signifies "to wear out" or "afflict," specifically in a mental or spiritual sense, distinct from physical decay. Its singular, yet highly impactful, occurrence in [[Daniel 7:25]] describes the oppressive action of an adversarial power that seeks to "wear out the saints of the Most High." This highlights a significant aspect of spiritual warfare: the prolonged, insidious effort to exhaust, discourage, and break the faith of believers through sustained pressure and spiritual attrition. The theological implication is profound, emphasizing the need for divine endurance in the face of such profound internal struggle, while simultaneously affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over the duration and outcome of such tribulation.
TRV