נְבַלָּט
𐤍𐤁𐤋𐤈
Nevalat
H5041 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Neballat is a place name in the Hebrew Bible, most likely referring to a locality in the post-exilic period. The word denotes a specific site rather than a common noun, and it is customarily understood as a toponym whose etymological components evoke the notions of 'folly' (from נָבָל) and potentially 'concealment' or 'covertness' (from לָט), though the actual significance of the place name in its historical context is uncertain. There is no evidence in the biblical text that the name conveys a negative connotation about the site beyond its possible root allusions. Semantic range limited to the place name.
Semantic Range
name of a locality in the post-exilic period, specifically a town in the region north of Jerusalem; limited to toponymic usage
Root / Etymology
Formed as a compound, apparently from the roots נָבָל (nbl, 'to be foolish, senseless') and לָט (lt, 'to be hidden, concealed'). As a toponym, however, the proper name may simply have been constructed from these roots without intending a transparent meaning. The actual lexical meaning as a place name does not necessarily reflect the root meanings in practical use. The etymology is thus 'apparently from נבל and לט' but the specific motivation for the name is unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Neballat (נְבַלָּט) is mentioned in Nehemiah 11:34 as a town situated in the region north-northeast of Jerusalem, among other settlements inhabited by returning groups during the early Persian period. The name is unique to this context in the Hebrew Bible. While later translators and sources (such as the LXX) preserve the name as Neballat without explanation, there is no evidence that the location held particular religious, political, or ethnic significance beyond being a repopulated site. Some have linked it with modern villages or proposed sites, but identification remains uncertain. While the apparent etymology 'foolish secrecy' is based on a combination of roots, this likely reflects lexical speculation rather than a concrete meaning attached by ancient speakers. English translations typically transliterate the name without interpreting its possible etymological components, and this accurately reflects its function as a proper noun rather than a descriptor. Other biblical toponyms also combine roots with negative meanings, often without explanatory context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently from נָבָל and לָט; foolish secrecy; Neballat, a place in Palestine; Neballat.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נבל, לט (n-b-l; l-ṭ) — to be foolish, to be senseless, to wither; to cover, to conceal, to act covertly
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5041-01 |
נְבַלָּֽט | nevalat | HNp |
Neballat | Neballat | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5041-01 |
Nehemiah 11:34 | נְבַלָּֽט | nevalat | HNp |
Neballat | Neballat |