from בָּלַג; desistance (or rather desolation); comfort self.
Transliteration:mablîygîyth
Pronunciation:mab-leeg-eeth'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מַבְלִיגִית (mablîygîyth), Strong's H4010, derives from the root בָּלַג (balag), Strong's `{{H1082}}`. The root balag primarily conveys the idea of "to cheer up," "to recover strength," "to desist," or "to cease." It often implies a cessation of sorrow or distress, leading to a state of comfort or relief.
As a noun, mablîygîyth appears to represent either the *act* or *state* of desisting from sorrow, or the condition of being comforted or recovering. The base definition suggests "desistance" or "comfort self." The alternative definition "desolation" presents a significant semantic contrast, which could imply a cessation leading to emptiness, or perhaps a rare, context-dependent usage not fully elaborated. Given the primary root meaning, the sense of comfort and recovery from distress is more prominent in the semantic field.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
It is crucial to note that the Hebrew word מַבְלִיגִית (mablîygîyth), Strong's H4010, does *not* appear in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible. Its inclusion in lexicons like Strong's is based on its derivation from the root בָּלַג (balag) `{{H1082}}` and linguistic analysis, potentially as a theoretical form or one found in extra-biblical literature.
While H4010 itself is absent, its root בָּלַג (balag) `{{H1082}}` is attested in several biblical passages, providing insight into the potential semantic range of mablîygîyth. For instance:
* In [[Job 9:27]], the verbal form אַבְלִיגָה (avligah) from this root is used in the sense of "I will cheer up" or "I will recover strength," expressing Job's fleeting desire for relief from his suffering: "If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance and be cheerful [אַבְלִיגָה]...'"
* [[Psalm 39:13]] employs the root in a plea for divine respite: "Look away from me, that I may recover strength [אַבְלִיגָה] before I go away and am no more."
* In [[Jeremiah 8:14]], it conveys a sense of ceasing or desisting: "Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the fortified cities and perish there, for the Lord our God has doomed us to perish and has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord. We hoped for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but behold, terror! Let us desist [נַבְלִיגָה]..."
* [[Jeremiah 49:11]] uses it in the context of divine care: "Leave your orphans; I will preserve them alive; and let your widows trust in me [וְאַבְלִיגָה]." (Here, some interpretations link it to "comfort" or "sustain.")
The consistent thread through these occurrences of the root is a movement towards cessation (of distress, activity) or the recovery of strength/comfort.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root בָּלַג (balag) `{{H1082}}` itself, from which mablîygîyth is formed. This root's various verbal forms (as seen in Job, Psalms, and Jeremiah) illuminate the core meaning of ceasing, recovering strength, or cheering up.
Other words within the broader semantic field of mablîygîyth include:
* נוּחַ (nuach) `{{H5117}}`: to rest, to settle, to be quiet.
* שָׁקַט (shaqat) `{{H8252}}`: to be quiet, to be at peace, to be tranquil.
* נָחַם (nacham) `{{H5162}}`: to comfort, to console, to repent (often related to a change from distress to relief). The noun נֶחָמָה (nechamah) `{{H5162}}` means comfort or consolation.
* מַרְגּוֹעַ (margoa) `{{H4774}}`: a resting place, relief, quietness.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of a desire for, or experience of, an end to turmoil, leading to a state of peace, strength, or consolation.
### Theological Significance
Although H4010 mablîygîyth does not appear in the biblical text, its potential meaning, derived from its root בָּלָג (balag) `{{H1082}}`, carries significant theological weight. The concept of "desistance" or "comfort" speaks to fundamental aspects of the human condition and divine interaction.
1. **Divine Provision of Comfort and Strength:** The root balag often appears in contexts where individuals seek or experience relief from suffering. Theologically, this points to God as the ultimate source of comfort, strength, and cessation from distress. He is the one who enables His people to "recover strength" or find "desistance" from their afflictions, as seen in the Psalmist's plea in [[Psalm 39:13]]. This aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as a refuge, a comforter, and the giver of peace that transcends understanding.
2. **Human Longing for Relief:** The very existence of such a word, even if unused in the biblical corpus, underscores the universal human yearning for an end to pain, sorrow, and struggle. It reflects the deep-seated desire for a state of mablîygîyth—a cessation of suffering and a return to well-being.
3. **Cessation of Divine Judgment or Human Rebellion:** In contexts where "desistance" might imply a cessation of divine wrath or a turning away from sin (as perhaps in [[Jeremiah 8:14]]), the word’s underlying concept could touch upon themes of repentance, reconciliation, and the ultimate peace found in right relationship with God.
4. **The Limits of Self-Comfort:** If mablîygîyth emphasizes "comfort self," it might subtly highlight the human attempt to find solace independently. While self-care is important, biblical theology often teaches that true, lasting comfort and strength ultimately flow from God, the "God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
### Summary
H4010, מַבְלִיגִית (mablîygîyth), is a Hebrew noun derived from the root בָּלַג (balag) `{{H1082}}`. Its core meaning encompasses "desistance," "comfort," and "self-comfort," with a possible secondary nuance of "desolation." Crucially, this specific noun form does *not* appear in the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible; its meaning is inferred from its root and linguistic analysis. The root balag `{{H1082}}` itself is found in passages such as [[Job 9:27]] and [[Psalm 39:13]], conveying ideas of recovering strength, cheering up, or ceasing from distress. Theologically, while mablîygîyth is absent from the biblical text, its underlying semantic field points to profound biblical themes: the human yearning for an end to suffering, the divine provision of comfort and rest, and the ultimate source of true solace being God. It speaks to the hope of an end to distress and the restoration of well-being, whether through divine intervention or an internal process of recovery.
TRV