בִּלְגַה
𐤁𐤋𐤂𐤄
Bilegah
H1083 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Bilgah is a proper noun denoting: (1) the name of a priestly division or clan among the Israelites, established for service in the sanctuary; (2) the ancestor or progenitor for whom the division is named. The term appears specifically in the context of listing the priestly courses instituted for service in the First Temple; in a few cases, Bilgah may also refer to a specific individual associated with this lineage.
Semantic Range
priestly division name, the ancestor or head of the priestly division, a personal or clan name; never used in a general sense outside the designation of this priestly group
Root / Etymology
From בָּלַג (balag), a root possibly meaning 'to intermix' or 'to confound', though the etymology is uncertain. The proper noun בִּלְגָּה (Bilgah) is used as a personal or clan name, with its specific semantic derivation from the root not reflected in its actual usage as a name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Bilgah is one of the 24 priestly divisions (mishmarot) as ordered by King David for the service of the First Temple (1 Chronicles 24:14). The division of Bilgah is listed among the descendants of Aaron who performed special functions in the temple rituals. The personal or clan name Bilgah does not retain the verbal root's meaning, functioning rather as a toponymic designation for a priestly section. There is no theological significance attached to the etymology in the biblical text. In post-biblical tradition, specifically in the Mishnah and Talmud, the division of Bilgah is occasionally mentioned in discussions of priestly service rotation. Standard English translations usually transliterate the name; some older translations render it simply as 'Bilgah' without explanation. There is no evidence this term ever referred to 'Jews' in later sense, nor does it specify ethnic or geographic identity beyond the priestly context. Distinct from related terms such as כְּהוּנָה (kehunah, 'priesthood'), בִּלְגָּה refers exclusively to a particular priestly lineage or division.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בָּלַג; desistance; Bilgah, the name of two Israelites; Bilgah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בלג (b-l-g) — to intermix, to confound, to interrupt (uncertain)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1082 | בָּלַג | the strength-renewer |
| H1084 | בִּלְגַּי | Bilgay |
| H4010 | מַבְלִיגִית | my utter ruin |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1083-02 |
לְ/בִלְגָּ֣ה | levilegah | HR/Np |
of Bilgah | to Bilgah | 2 |
H1083-01 |
בִּלְגָּֽה | bilegah | HNp |
Bilgah | Bilgah | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1083-01 |
Nehemiah 12:5 | בִּלְגָּֽה | bilegah | HNp |
Bilgah | Bilgah |
H1083-02 |
Nehemiah 12:18 | לְ/בִלְגָּ֣ה | levilegah | HR/Np |
of Bilgah | to Bilgah |
H1083-02 |
1 Chronicles 24:14 | לְ/בִלְגָּה֙ | levilegah | HR/Np |
to Bilgah | to Bilgah |