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).
Transliteration:bâlag
Pronunciation:baw-lag'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The primitive root `{{H1082}}` (bâlag) presents a fascinating semantic duality, stemming from its core sense of "to break off" or "to loose." This foundational meaning allows for two seemingly antithetical applications. In a favorable sense, it signifies a "breaking off" from grief or sorrow, leading to the meaning of "to desist (from grief)," "to comfort," or "to recover strength/cheerfulness." It implies a cessation of distress, a moment of respite, or a return to composure. Conversely, in an unfavorable or destructive sense, it denotes "to break in" or "to invade" with overwhelming force, leading to "destruction." This duality highlights the root's capacity to describe both a release *from* something (sorrow) and a forceful breaking *into* something (a state of ruin). The context of each occurrence is therefore paramount in discerning the intended nuance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H1082}}` (bâlag) is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only three distinct passages, each illustrating one of its semantic poles:
1. **[[Job 9:27]]**: "If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful (אֶבְלִיגָה),' then you make me dread all my sufferings." Here, Job, in his profound suffering, expresses a desire to "brighten up" or "recover cheerfulness" (from the root bâlag). He longs for a moment of relief, a cessation of his outward display of grief. The context underscores the human desire for respite from affliction, though Job laments that even this small comfort is denied him by God's continued pressure. This usage aligns with the "desist from grief" or "comfort" aspect.
2. **[[Psalm 39:13]]**: "Look away from me, that I may smile again (וְאַבְלִיגָה) before I depart and am no more." The psalmist, under the burden of divine discipline, implores God to "look away" or "turn His gaze" so that he might "recover strength," "brighten up," or "have a moment of cheer" before his death. Similar to Job, this usage emphasizes a longing for a temporary reprieve from suffering, a brief period of composure or strength before the ultimate end. It speaks to the human need for divine mercy and a moment of peace.
3. **[[Amos 5:9]]**: "who brings sudden destruction (הַמַּבְלִיג) upon the strong, so that destruction comes upon the fortress." In stark contrast to the passages in Job and Psalms, Amos employs `{{H1082}}` to describe the sudden, overwhelming, and destructive power of God's judgment. Here, "bâlag" means "to bring destruction" or "to invade with destruction." It speaks of an irresistible force that breaks in upon the powerful and their strongholds, leading to utter ruin. This usage showcases the destructive pole of the word's semantic range, highlighting God's sovereign power in judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The dual nature of `{{H1082}}` connects it to different sets of related words and theological concepts:
* **For "comfort" or "desist from grief":**
* `{{H5162}}` (nāḥam): To comfort, to console, to repent. Often used for divine comfort or human consolation in grief.
* `{{H7304}}` (rāwāḥ): To be wide, to breathe freely, to be refreshed. Implies relief and spaciousness after distress.
* `{{H7951}}` (shālāh): To be at ease, to be prosperous, to be quiet. Can denote a state of tranquility or security.
* The concept of *rest* (נוּחַ - nûaḥ, `{{H5117}}`) or *relief* (רוּחַ - rûaḥ, `{{H7307}}` in some contexts) from affliction.
* **For "destruction" or "invasion":**
* `{{H7703}}` (shādad): To devastate, to destroy, to lay waste. A common verb for violent destruction.
* `{{H2717}}` (ḥārāḇ): To lay waste, to destroy, to be desolate. Often describes the ruin of cities or lands.
* `{{H6555}}` (pāraṣ): To break through, to burst forth, to make a breach. Shares the idea of a forceful breaking.
* The concept of *judgment* (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpāṭ, `{{H4941}}`) and *wrath* (אַף - 'aph, `{{H639}}`) as divine actions.
The unique aspect of `{{H1082}}` is its ability to encompass both these seemingly opposite semantic fields, reflecting the multifaceted nature of divine action and human experience.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1082}}` lies precisely in its paradoxical semantic range. It illustrates the comprehensive power and character of God, who is both the source of comfort and the bringer of destruction.
1. **God as the Giver of Respite:** In Job and Psalms, *bâlag* underscores the human longing for relief from suffering and the recognition that such respite, even if momentary, must come from God. It speaks to the vulnerability of humanity and the divine prerogative to grant or withhold comfort. It subtly points to God's compassion, even when His hand is heavy, as the ultimate source of any strength or cheerfulness.
2. **God as the Bringer of Judgment:** In Amos, *bâlag* powerfully portrays God's irresistible sovereignty in judgment. The sudden, overwhelming destruction described is not arbitrary but a righteous response to sin. This usage reveals God's justice and His capacity to break through human defenses and pride, bringing about the downfall of the wicked. It serves as a stark warning of divine accountability.
3. **The Duality of Divine Action:** The word's dual meaning reflects the broader biblical tension between God's mercy and His justice. The same divine power that can "break off" sorrow and grant peace can also "break in" with devastating judgment. This duality is not contradictory but complementary, revealing a God who is both compassionate and righteous, sovereign over all circumstances—whether for comfort or for calamity.
### Summary
`{{H1082}}` (bâlag) is a Hebrew root with a striking and seemingly paradoxical semantic range: "to desist from grief" or "to comfort/recover strength" on one hand, and "to invade with destruction" on the other. Its rare occurrences in the Hebrew Bible clearly delineate these two poles. In [[Job 9:27]] and [[Psalm 39:13]], it expresses the human desire for a cessation of suffering and a moment of cheer or composure, highlighting divine mercy as the source of such respite. Conversely, in [[Amos 5:9]], it describes the sudden, overwhelming, and irresistible destruction unleashed by God's judgment, underscoring His sovereign power and justice. This word, though infrequent, uniquely encapsulates the breadth of divine action, demonstrating God's capacity to both comfort the afflicted and execute righteous judgment upon the proud.
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