feminine from an unused root (meaning to break in pieces); desolation; desolate.
Transliteration:battâh
Pronunciation:bat-taw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word battâh (`{{H1327}}`) is a feminine noun, transliterated as "battâh," and defined as "desolation" or "desolate." Its etymological root, though unused in extant Hebrew, is understood to convey the meaning "to break in pieces." This underlying sense of fragmentation and utter destruction is crucial to grasping the word's full semantic weight. Battâh therefore describes not merely emptiness or abandonment, but a state of ruin achieved through violent, complete disintegration. Its semantic range encompasses the profound emptiness that results from a thorough and irreversible laying waste, signifying a place or entity that has been reduced to rubble and rendered uninhabitable.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word battâh (`{{H1327}}`) appears in two significant prophetic contexts, both illustrating the devastating outcome of divine judgment:
* **[[Isaiah 14:23]]**: "I will make her a possession for the hedgehog, and pools of water: and I will sweep her with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts." Here, battâh is translated "destruction" (KJV) or "desolation" (ESV). The context is a prophetic oracle against Babylon, a mighty empire destined for utter ruin. The imagery of a "besom" (broom) of battâh emphasizes the thoroughness with which the LORD will sweep away Babylon's power and existence, reducing it to a desolate swamp fit only for wild animals like the hedgehog. This portrays a complete reversal of its former glory, turning a bustling city into a wasteland.
* **[[Zephaniah 2:14]]**: "And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work." In this verse, battâh is rendered "desolation." The prophecy concerns the judgment upon Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Similar to the oracle against Babylon, Nineveh is depicted as being reduced to a state of utter ruin, its magnificent structures crumbling and becoming a dwelling place for wild birds and beasts. The "desolation in the thresholds" vividly portrays a city utterly abandoned by humanity, with only the remnants of its former grandeur serving as a testament to its fall.
In both instances, battâh functions as the ultimate descriptor of a city or nation brought to its knees by divine decree. It consistently denotes a state of absolute ruin and abandonment, where human presence is replaced by the habitation of wild creatures, signifying the complete cessation of life and order.
### Related Words & Concepts
Battâh (`{{H1327}}`) shares semantic space with several other Hebrew terms denoting ruin, waste, and desolation, yet often carries a unique emphasis due to its root meaning.
* **`{{H2723}}` (חָרְבָּה, *chorbah*)**: This common term also signifies "desolation," "ruin," or "waste." It often describes a land or city that has been laid waste, frequently due to war or divine judgment (e.g., [[Jeremiah 25:9]]). While similar, chorbah might emphasize the *state* of being ruined, whereas battâh leans into the *process* or *result* of being "broken in pieces."
* **`{{H8077}}` (שְׁמָמָה, *sh'mamah*)**: Meaning "desolation," "waste," or "astonishment," sh'mamah often conveys a sense of shock or horror associated with the devastation (e.g., [[Ezekiel 6:14]]). It can describe both the physical state and the emotional impact of desolation.
* **`{{H6723}}` (צִיָּה, *tsiyyah*)**: This word refers to "dry land," "desert," or "waste," emphasizing barrenness and aridity (e.g., [[Psalm 107:35]]). While a desolate place is often dry, tsiyyah focuses more on the environmental aspect rather than the destructive process.
The distinctiveness of battâh lies in its implicit connection to a violent, thorough shattering. It suggests a desolation that is not merely neglect or abandonment, but the outcome of a deliberate and complete breaking apart.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of battâh (`{{H1327}}`) is profound, serving as a powerful testament to several core biblical truths:
* **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty:** The primary theological import of battâh is its role in depicting the absolute and irreversible nature of God's judgment against human pride, wickedness, and rebellion. In both [[Isaiah 14:23]] and [[Zephaniah 2:14]], it is the LORD Himself who brings about this state of utter desolation. This underscores His supreme sovereignty over nations and empires, demonstrating that no human power, however great, can withstand His ultimate decree.
* **Consequences of Sin:** Battâh serves as a stark and tangible consequence of sin and defiance against God. The mighty cities of Babylon and Nineveh, symbols of human achievement and often idolatry, are reduced to battâh because of their transgressions. This illustrates the biblical principle that unrepentant sin leads to destruction and ruin.
* **The Impermanence of Human Glory:** The word powerfully communicates the transient nature of all human accomplishments and earthly power. What once stood as a testament to human might and ingenuity is, by divine will, reduced to broken pieces and inhabited by wild creatures, highlighting that only God's kingdom is eternal.
* **Awe and Reverence:** The imagery associated with battâh evokes a sense of awe and fear before the holiness and power of God. It is a reminder that God's justice is perfect and His judgments are thorough, leaving nothing untouched when He acts decisively.
### Summary
The Hebrew word battâh (`{{H1327}}`), stemming from an unused root implying "to break in pieces," precisely describes a state of profound and utter desolation. Its limited but impactful appearances in [[Isaiah 14:23]] and [[Zephaniah 2:14]] consistently portray the complete and irreversible ruin of powerful, rebellious nations (Babylon and Assyria/Nineveh) as a direct consequence of God's righteous judgment. This desolation is characterized by the absence of human life and the habitation of wild creatures, signifying a total cessation of order and prosperity. Theologically, battâh serves as a potent reminder of God's absolute sovereignty, the severe consequences of human sin, and the ultimate impermanence of all earthly power when confronted by the divine will. It stands as a solemn testament to the thoroughness of God's judgment, leaving behind a landscape of broken pieces and profound emptiness.
TRV