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Βαλάκ

Balák

G904 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Balak, a personal name designating a Moabite king mentioned in Israelite and Judean scriptures. In Koine Greek contexts, the word serves solely as a proper noun referring to this individual, especially in recounting narratives related to Moabite-Israelite interactions (notably the Balaam episode). The primary lexical meaning is thus a personal name, without further generic extension.

Semantic Range

personal name (Balak), king of the Moabites, referent in literary/historical narrative

Root / Etymology

The Greek Βαλάκ is a transliteration of the Hebrew בָּלָק (Bālāq). The original Hebrew name's meaning is debated and uncertain, with suggestions of 'devastator,' 'one who lays waste,' or related ideas, but no consensus exists on its Semitic root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Βαλάκ occurs exclusively as the name of a Moabite ruler in biblical literature. The Greek form appears in the Septuagint and is echoed in the New Testament (Revelation 2:14). As a transliterated proper noun, it does not undergo semantic development in Greek and retains its specific referential identity. The Septuagint and New Testament authors use Βαλάκ strictly as a reference to the historical or literary figure from Israelite tradition, never as a generic term for any other role or category. In later translation traditions (e.g., 'Balak' in English Bibles), the word is left untranslated to preserve its function as a personal name. The form mirrors transliteration strategies for non-Greek names in the Greek Jewish scriptures.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (בָּלָק); Balak, a Moabite:--Balac.

Root Family

Βαλάκ (Balak) — personal name, Balak, Moabite king

Root uncertain name of an individual, proper noun (Balak)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G904-01 Βαλὰκ balak N DAT M SG Balak to Balak Balak 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G904-01 Revelation 2:14 Βαλὰκ balak N DAT M SG Balak to Balak Balak
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