בְּדֹלַח
𐤁𐤃𐤋𐤇
bᵉdôlach
H916 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A rare noun referring to bdellium, an aromatic resin or gum, likely of foreign import and valued for its fragrance or appearance; in some contexts, possibly a precious stone or substance with lustrous, translucent qualities. The precise botanical or mineral identity is uncertain, but the Hebrew term denotes a valued natural product distinct for its texture and clarity.
Semantic Range
bdellium (aromatic resin or gum), precious or translucent substance, possibly a pearl or mineral; a rare, valuable natural substance
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root בָּדַל (badal), meaning 'to separate, divide, set apart,' though this connection is based on similarity of form, not securely established. The word may be a loanword, indicating an imported or exotic substance.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used only twice in the Hebrew Bible: Genesis 2:12 (listing resources of the land of Havilah) and Numbers 11:7 (describing the appearance of manna as like bdellium). In Genesis, it is grouped with gold and onyx, suggesting rarity and value; in Numbers, associated with a pale, glossy substance. In the ancient Near East, 'bdellium' (LXX βδέλλιον; Vulgate 'bdellium'; later Jewish commentators sometimes interpret as pearl or crystal) referred to aromatic resins from trees native to Arabia or India, or at times to translucent minerals, like pearls. The exact identification is disputed. The association with 'pearl' appears in some early Rabbinic and post-biblical sources but is not attested in the earliest usage. Modern translations often render simply as 'bdellium.' The term is not specific to Israelite material culture and reflects international trade and lexicon.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from בָּדַל; something in pieces, i.e. bdellium, a (fragrant) gum (perhaps amber); others a pearl; bdellium.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בדל (b-d-l) — to separate, divide, set apart
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3995 | מִבְדָּלָה | the set-apart divisions |
| H913 | בְּדִיל | separated-out metal |
| H914 | בָּדַל | the one set apart |
| H915 | בָּדָל | separated piece |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H916-01 |
הַ/בְּדֹ֖לַח | habedolach | HTd/Ncmsa |
bdellium | the bdellium resin | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H916-01 |
Genesis 2:12 | הַ/בְּדֹ֖לַח | habedolach | HTd/Ncmsa |
bdellium | the bdellium resin |
H916-01 |
Numbers 11:7 | הַ/בְּדֹֽלַח | habedolach | HTd/Ncmsa |
of bdellium | the bdellium resin |