The Hebrew word bâlaq, represented by H1110, is a primitive root meaning to annihilate or (make) waste. Though it appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses, its usage points to a powerful concept of complete and total desolation enacted by divine judgment.
The two appearances of H1110 occur in prophetic warnings of immense destruction. In Isaiah, the LORD is the agent of this action, poised to "maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste" Isaiah 24:1. This act is part of a larger upheaval that includes turning the world upside down and scattering its inhabitants. Similarly, Nahum describes a city that "is empty, and void, and waste" Nahum 2:10, a state that causes the people's hearts to melt and their faces to "gather blackness."
Several related words appear alongside H1110 to intensify the theme of desolation:
- H1238 bâqaq (to pour out, i.e. to empty): This word is used in parallel with H1110 in Isaiah's prophecy, where the LORD "maketh the earth empty" Isaiah 24:1. It reinforces the idea of utter depopulation and ruin, as the land will be "utterly emptied" Isaiah 24:3.
- H4003 mᵉbûwqâh (emptiness; void): This noun appears in Nahum's stark depiction of a desolate city, described as "empty, and void, and waste" Nahum 2:10, emphasizing a state of absolute nothingness.
- H6440 pânîym (the face): This term is used to describe what is affected by the judgment. In Isaiah, God "turneth it upside down," a phrase which literally refers to the face of the earth Isaiah 24:1. In Nahum, the terror of the event is seen on the faces of the people Nahum 2:10.
The theological weight of H1110 is focused on the severity and totality of divine judgment.
- Divine Agency in Judgment: The word is used to describe an action carried out by God. The LORD is the one who "maketh it waste" Isaiah 24:1, underscoring that such annihilation is not a random event but a direct consequence of divine will.
- Absolute Desolation: The term signifies more than mere damage; it means "to annihilate." Its pairing with words like "empty" H1238 and "void" H4003 communicates a state of complete ruin and emptiness in the wake of judgment.
- Physical and Emotional Impact: The desolation described by bâlaq has tangible effects on humanity. The external reality of a city made "waste" is directly linked to the internal terror of its inhabitants, whose hearts melt and knees smite together Nahum 2:10.
In summary, H1110 is a potent, though infrequent, term for utter destruction. It is reserved for prophetic contexts to describe the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, which results in complete annihilation. The word bâlaq illustrates a devastation so complete that it empties the land, overturns the natural order, and fills human hearts with terror.
TRV