Word Study

The meaning of בָּלָה

Understanding bâlâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.

H1086
Hebrew Text
Strong's Concordance

בָּלָה

Phoneticbaw-law'
Transliterationbâlâh
Grammar Code
H:V
Hebrew Verb
Strong's Definition
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

consume, enjoy long, become (make, wax) old, spend, waste. - to fail - by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend) 1) to wear out, become old 1a) (Qal) to wear out 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wear out 1b2) to wear out by use, use up completely 1b3) to enjoy, use to the full

Scripture References

Occurrences in the Bible

14 total references
ReferenceText
Genesis 18:12

Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Deuteronomy 29:5

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

Joshua 9:13

And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

1 Chronicles 17:9

Also I will ordain a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, and they shall dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness waste them any more, as at the beginning,

Nehemiah 9:21

Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

Usage Statistics

Total Occurrences
14x
Most Frequent Book
Psalms
Book Distribution
Genesis1
Deuteronomy2
Joshua1
1 Chronicles1
Nehemiah1
Job1
Psalms3
Isaiah3
Lamentations1

Devotional Reflection

How does the original Hebrew meaning of 'בָּלָה' deepen your understanding of Genesis 18:12?

Related Words

Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.