What does בָּלַל (balal) mean in the Bible?
בָּלַל (balal): Mixing or blending substances; extends figuratively to confusion or bewilderment when elements become indistinguishably combined.
Hebrew · H1101
בָּלַל
To overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix ; to fodder
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בָּלַלH1101
Pronunciationbalal
What does בָּלַל (balal) mean in the Bible?
בָּלַל (balal): Mixing or blending substances; extends figuratively to confusion or bewilderment when elements become indistinguishably combined.
Full entry for בָּלַל (H1101) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H1101?
The BSB source-word alignment has 43 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include mixed (37), and confuse (1), and fed (1), confused (1), I have been anointed (1).
Where does בָּלַל (balal) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 11:7. Its strongest book concentrations include Numbers (27), Leviticus (9), Exodus (2), Genesis (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itmixed37×Exodus 29:2, Exodus 29:40, Leviticus 2:4, Leviticus 2:5
and confuse1×Genesis 11:7
and fed1×Judges 19:21
confused1×Genesis 11:9
I have been anointed1×Psalms 92:10
mixes1×Hosea 7:8
or mixed1×Leviticus 7:10
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 11:7וְנָבְלָ֥הtoand confuseConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common pluralGenesis 11:9בָּלַ֥לtoconfusedVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singularExodus 29:2בְּלוּלֹ֣תtomixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine pluralExodus 29:40בָּל֨וּלtomixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singularLeviticus 2:4בְּלוּלֹ֣תtomixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine pluralLeviticus 2:5בְּלוּלָ֥הtomixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularLeviticus 7:10בְלוּלָֽה־toor mixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularLeviticus 7:12בְּלוּלֹ֣תtomixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine pluralLeviticus 7:12בְּלוּלֹ֥תtomixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine pluralLeviticus 9:4בְּלוּלָ֣הtomixedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 11:7
Aligned rows43
Books represented7
Genesis2Exodus2Leviticus9Numbers27Judges1Psalms1Hosea1
Source forms
בְּלוּלָ֥ה16xbə·lū·lāhLeviticus 2:5, Leviticus 23:13, Numbers 7:13, Numbers 7:19
בְּלוּלָ֣ה11xbə·lū·lāhLeviticus 9:4, Leviticus 14:10, Numbers 8:8, Numbers 28:12
בְּלוּלֹ֣ת4xbə·lū·lōṯExodus 29:2, Leviticus 2:4, Leviticus 7:12, Numbers 6:15
בָּל֥וּל2xbā·lūlLeviticus 14:21, Numbers 15:9
בָּל֨וּל1xbā·lūlExodus 29:40
בָּל֕וּל1xbā·lūlNumbers 15:4
בְּלוּלָ֛ה1xbə·lū·lāhNumbers 28:5
בְלוּלָֽה־1xḇə·lū·lāh-Leviticus 7:10
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular29xLeviticus 2:5, Leviticus 7:10, Leviticus 9:4, Leviticus 14:10
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural5xExodus 29:2, Leviticus 2:4, Leviticus 7:12, Numbers 6:15
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular4xExodus 29:40, Leviticus 14:21, Numbers 15:4, Numbers 15:9
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural1xGenesis 11:7
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xJudges 19:21
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xHosea 7:8
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular1xPsalms 92:10
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular1xGenesis 11:9
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Mixing or blending substances; extends figuratively to confusion or bewilderment when elements become indistinguishably combined.
Strong'sH1101
Lexical occurrences43 versesWord forms2 forms41 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkHosea 7:8-16Source Gloss
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix ; to fodder
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Mixing or blending substances; extends figuratively to confusion or bewilderment when elements become indistinguishably combined.
to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder BDB: to give provender Usage: anoint, confound, × fade, mingle, mix (self), give provender, temper.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms41
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense40×
Participle passiveExod 29:2 · Exod 29:40 · Lev 2:4 · Lev 2:5 · Lev 7:10 · Lev 7:12 · Lev 9:4 · Lev 14:10 · Lev 14:21 · Lev 23:13 · Num 6:15 · Num 7:13 · Num 7:19 · Num 7:25 · Num 7:31 · Num 7:3738×
PerfectGen 11:9 · Ps 92:112×
Hithpolel1×
ImperfectHos 7:81×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
to mix, confuse
Showing 1 selected witness from 43 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
בָּלַל is built from this root:
בְּלִילH1098
Why This Word Matters
Indicates loss of covenant distinctiveness.Hosea 7:8-16
Canonical Themes
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.