or (fully) בְּלוֹי; from בָּלָה; (only in plural construction) rags; old.
Transliteration:bᵉlôwʼ
Pronunciation:bel-o'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma בְּלוֹא (bᵉlôwʼ), Strong's number `{{H1094}}`, is derived from the root בָּלָה (balah, `{{H1086}}`), which signifies "to wear out," "to grow old," or "to decay." As a noun, בְּלוֹא (or its full form בְּלוֹי) specifically refers to "rags" or "old, worn-out garments." It is consistently found in the plural construct form, בְּלוֹאִים (bĕlō'îm), emphasizing a collection or state of being thoroughly deteriorated. The core semantic range thus encompasses the state of being threadbare, tattered, or decayed due to age or extensive use, highlighting the transience and perishability of material objects.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term בְּלוֹאִים appears exclusively in the book of Joshua, specifically in the narrative of the Gibeonites' deception.
* In [[Joshua 9:5]], the text describes the Gibeonites' elaborate ruse to deceive Joshua and the Israelites: "and old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy." Here, בְּלוֹאִים describes their "old garments," forming a key component of their fabricated appearance of having traveled a great distance. The context emphasizes the visual evidence of extreme wear and tear, intended to mislead.
* Similarly, in [[Joshua 9:13]], the Gibeonites themselves articulate their supposed plight to Joshua: "And these wineskins which we filled were new, and behold, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals are worn out from the very long journey." Again, בְּלוֹאִים ("worn out") is used in reference to their garments, reinforcing their deceptive narrative. The word underscores the supposed arduousness of their journey, providing a tangible (though false) sign of their origin from a distant land.
In both instances, the word בְּלוֹאִים is crucial to the plot, serving as a material manifestation of a lie. It describes objects that have reached the end of their useful life, conveying a sense of decay and deterioration.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root בָּלָה (balah, `{{H1086}}`), meaning "to wear out," "to consume," or "to grow old." This root is used in various contexts to describe the aging or decay of garments, buildings, or even the heavens (e.g., [[Psalm 102:26]], [[Isaiah 50:9]]).
Other related concepts include:
* קָרוּעַ (qaruac, from קָרַע `{{H7167}}`): "torn," often used in conjunction with old garments or a sign of distress.
* מְטֻלָּא (metullaʼ, from טָלָא `{{H2918}}`): "patched," as seen in [[Joshua 9:5]] describing their sandals.
* יָשָׁן (yashan, `{{H3465}}`): "old," in the sense of ancient or long-standing, but can also denote worn-out.
* The opposite concept of "new" or "fresh" (חָדָשׁ `{{H2319}}`) is implicitly contrasted, as the Gibeonites claim their items were once new but are now בְּלוֹאִים.
### Theological Significance
While בְּלוֹא describes mundane objects, its specific use in the biblical narrative carries significant theological weight:
1. **The Nature of Deception:** The most prominent theological implication is its role in the Gibeonites' deception. The "old garments" were a calculated visual aid to manipulate Joshua and the Israelite leaders. This highlights the danger of judging solely by outward appearances and the subtlety of human deceit. It serves as a cautionary tale against superficial assessment and the failure to seek divine counsel ([[Joshua 9:14]]).
2. **Transience of the Material World:** Like its root בָּלָה, בְּלוֹא subtly points to the inherent decay and impermanence of the physical world. Material possessions, no matter how new or valuable, are subject to wear, tear, and eventual ruin. This stands in contrast to the eternal and unchanging nature of God and His covenant promises.
3. **Divine Wisdom vs. Human Folly:** The Israelites' failure to discern the truth behind the Gibeonites' בְּלוֹאִים (old garments) led them to make a binding covenant under false pretenses. This underscores the necessity of relying on divine wisdom and revelation rather than human perception or cleverness, especially when making critical decisions that impact God's people.
### Summary
The Hebrew word בְּלוֹא (bᵉlôwʼ, `{{H1094}}`) denotes "rags" or "old, worn-out garments," derived from the root meaning "to wear out." Its sole biblical occurrences in [[Joshua 9:5]] and [[Joshua 9:13]] are pivotal to the Gibeonites' cunning deception, where their "old garments" served as fabricated proof of a distant origin. Theologically, בְּלוֹא illuminates the deceptive nature of appearances, the transient quality of the material world, and the critical importance of divine guidance over human judgment, particularly in matters of covenant and truth. It stands as a subtle yet potent reminder that outward signs can be misleading, and true discernment comes from a source beyond human perception.
TRV