בְּלִיל
𐤁𐤋𐤉𐤋
bᵉlîyl
H1098 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Fodder or mixed grain used as animal feed, especially for cattle or livestock. The primary usage denotes a mixture of grains or provender, typically prepared for the nourishment of domesticated animals. Semantic range includes general animal food, mixed cereals, and provisions for livestock.
Semantic Range
animal feed, mixed grain, fodder, provender, mixture for livestock
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root בָּלַל (balal), meaning 'to mix' or 'to mingle.' This noun formation reflects the idea of a mixed or mingled substance, applied here to a combination of grains or plant matter used as fodder. The form בְּלִיל conveys the state or result of mixing, especially in an agricultural context.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears in later Hebrew texts and poetry (notably Job 6:5, Isaiah 30:24), typically in relation to animal husbandry and the feeding of livestock. In the context of ancient Israelite agricultural society, בְּלִיל likely referred to various mixtures of organic materials—grains, chaff, or legumes—that formed coarse feed for cattle, donkeys, or other domesticated animals. It is occasionally contrasted with finer, processed grain intended for human consumption. English translations vary (e.g., 'fodder,' 'provender,' 'corn'), but these often do not fully convey the idea of a mixed or unrefined feed, compared to more specific Hebrew terms for grain (such as דָּגָן or שֶׂעֹרָה). The word does not carry religious or ritual meanings, but is strictly agricultural, and its usage persists into post-exilic times. Later renderings as 'corn' or 'provender' in English versions can obscure the technical distinction between human and animal food resources.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from בָּלַל; mixed, i.e. (specifically) feed (for cattle); corn, fodder, provender.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בלל (b-l-l) — to mix, mingle, confuse
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1101 | בָּלַל | he mixed |
| H8397 | תֶּבֶל | illicit mixture |
| H8400 | תְּבַּלֻּל | eye-clouding mixture |
| H894 | בָּבֶל | Babel |
| H895 | בַּבֶל | Babel/Babylon |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1098-02 |
בְּלִילֽ/וֹ | belilo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his fodder | his mixed fodder | 2 |
H1098-01 |
בְּלִ֥יל | belil | HNcmsc |
mixture | mixed grain-fodder | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1098-01 |
Isaiah 30:24 | בְּלִ֥יל | belil | HNcmsc |
mixture | mixed grain-fodder |
H1098-02 |
Job 6:5 | בְּלִילֽ/וֹ | belilo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
his fodder | his mixed fodder |
H1098-02 |
Job 24:6 | בְּלִיל֣/וֹ | belilo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
their fodder | his mixed fodder |