The Hebrew verb בָּלַע (root: ב-ל-ע) means “to swallow,” “to devour,” “to consume,” or “to destroy.” It often conveys a violent or sudden action, such as an enemy overtaking someone, the earth swallowing the wicked, or time consuming strength. It is frequently found in poetic and prophetic contexts to describe destruction or overwhelming judgment.
בָּלַע appears primarily in the Qal binyan and also occurs in Piel (intensive: to utterly consume) and Niphal (passive: to be swallowed). The vivid imagery of this verb contributes to many dramatic scenes in the Hebrew Bible.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּלַע
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | בָּלַעְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | בָּלַעְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | בָּלַעְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | בָּלַע |
| 3rd person feminine singular | בָּלְעָה |
| 1st person plural | בָּלַעְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | בְּלַעְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | בְּלַעְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | בָּלְעוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | בֹּלֵעַ |
| Feminine singular | בֹּלַעַת |
| Masculine plural | בֹּלְעִים |
| Feminine plural | בֹּלְעוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶבְלַע |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּבְלַע |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּבְלְעִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִבְלַע |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּבְלַע |
| 1st person plural | נִבְלַע |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּבְלְעוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּבְלַעְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִבְלְעוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | בְּלַע |
| 2nd person feminine singular | בִּלְעִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | בִּלְעוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | בְּלַעְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Numbers 16:32 – וַתִּפְתַּח הָאָרֶץ אֶת־פִּיהָ וַתִּבְלַע אֹתָם
“The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them.” — describing divine judgment on Qoraḥ and his followers. - Psalm 35:25 – אַל־יֹאמְרוּ בְּלִבָּם הֶאָח נַפְשֵׁנוּ אַל־יֹאמְרוּ בִּלַּעְנוּהוּ
“Do not let them say, ‘We have swallowed him up!’” - Lamentations 2:5 – בָּלַע אֲדֹנָי לֹא חָמַל
“The LORD has swallowed up without mercy.”
Summary
The verb בָּלַע evokes intense imagery of destruction, consumption, and judgment. It is used dramatically in narratives and laments to convey when something or someone is overwhelmed—by nature, by enemies, or by divine decree. Recognizing its forms and contexts helps illuminate scenes of catastrophe and the theological message of justice or wrath throughout the Hebrew Bible.
