The Hebrew word bâdâl, represented by H915, translates as a part or piece. It appears only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible, making its single usage highly specific and illustrative. Its meaning is tied to the concept of a fragment that has been separated from a larger whole.
The sole appearance of H915 is in the prophetic message of Amos 3:12. The LORD saith H559 that just as a shepherd H7462 might rescue a tiny, mangled fragment from a lion—specifically a "piece of an ear"—so a remnant of Israel will be "taken out" H5337 of Samaria. The word is used to describe the meager and almost worthless nature of what is saved, emphasizing the severity of the judgment facing the nation.
Several related words from its only context help clarify its meaning:
- H5337 nâtsal (to snatch away... deliver... rescue): This verb frames the action surrounding H915. It describes the shepherd who "taketh out" the piece and, in parallel, how Israel will be "taken out" from judgment Amos 3:12. The word is frequently used for God's deliverance of His people from trouble or enemies (Exodus 3:8, Psalms 34:19).
- H559 ʼâmar (to say): The context for H915 is established as a divine declaration, beginning with "Thus saith the LORD" Amos 3:12. This root is fundamental to prophetic speech, communicating God's direct words and covenant promises (Isaiah 59:21, Zechariah 4:6).
- H7462 râʻâh (to tend a flock... shepherd): The agent performing the action in the illustration is the shepherd Amos 3:12. This term often serves as a metaphor for God's care over Israel Psalms 23:1 and is also used to describe the nation's leaders, or pastors Jeremiah 23:1.
The theological weight of H915 is concentrated in its single, powerful image.
- A Picture of Judgment: The use of H915 as a mangled "piece" highlights that the deliverance mentioned is not a glorious victory. Instead, it illustrates a rescue from near-total destruction, where what is saved is barely recognizable Amos 3:12.
- The Nature of the Remnant: The word defines the state of the Israelite remnant. They are not saved in strength or wholeness but are instead like a useless fragment. This emphasizes that their rescue is an act of God who can deliver H5337 even the smallest part.
- Prophetic Illustration: H915 is the key object in a prophetic simile. The Lord, speaking H559 through His prophet, uses the tangible image of a shepherd H7462 and a tiny "piece" to communicate a complex spiritual truth about the condition of His people.
In summary, H915 is far more than a simple word for a part. Though used only once, its meaning as a "piece" is central to the prophetic warning in Amos 3:12. It vividly illustrates the grim reality of judgment, where the remnant is but a fragment, a testament to the severity of Israel's situation and the nature of a deliverance that snatches them from the brink of annihilation.
TRV