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בָּהַל

𐤁𐤄𐤋

bâhal

H926 verb

SILEX Entry

Root בהל to be disturbed, to be alarmed, to hasten rashly

Definition

To be disturbed or agitated, especially in response to sudden fear, unexpected danger, or strong emotion; to hasten or act rashly as a result of inner agitation. The verb encompasses agitation that is both emotional and physical, including alarm, panic, or hasty action taken out of fear or confusion. In its intensive or causative forms, it can mean to terrify, to dismay, or to cause someone to act hurriedly or thoughtlessly.

Semantic Range

to be disturbed, to be alarmed or agitated, to be terrified, to be dismayed, to be panicked, to act with undue haste, to cause alarm, to cause agitation, to trouble, to throw into confusion, to hasten anxiously, to make rash decisions

Root / Etymology

From the root בהל, which carries the idea of disturbance or agitation. The verb בָּהַל is a primary root with no known cognates in other Semitic languages. It is likely onomatopoeic, representing the sound or sensation of sudden agitation or panic. The meaning at root is 'to be disturbed or alarmed,' developing into the more specific senses of being hasty or acting in panic.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בָּהַל is found throughout various periods of biblical Hebrew, with primary occurrences in wisdom literature (e.g., Ecclesiastes) and narratives where sudden emotional upheaval is described (e.g., Daniel, Psalms, Chronicles). The verb is characteristically used to describe a psychological or emotional state resulting in physical behavior—either a visible trembling or a rushed, anxious action. Later usage (especially post-exilic) may emphasize haste or confusion, while earlier uses stress fear or alarm. The root is distinct from other Hebrew verbs meaning 'to fear' (e.g., יָרֵא 'to fear with reverence, awe') or 'to tremble' (e.g., רָעַד 'to shake physically') in that בָּהַל focuses on inner confusion leading to outward response, not just fear alone. English translations often use 'trouble,' 'dismay,' or 'haste,' but these can obscure the sense of inner turmoil prompting external action. The causative form emphasizes making someone else disturbed or agitated, often in the context of divine or royal messages that provoke sudden anxiety or chaos.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously; be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בהל (b-h-l) — disturbance, alarm, agitation, rash haste

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H924 בְּהִילוּ in agitated haste
H927 בְּהַל in alarmed agitation
H928 בֶּהָלָה in sudden panic

Word Forms

29 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H926-10 נִבְהֲל֖וּ nivehalu HVNp3cp were dismayed they were alarmed 6
H926-25 וְ/יִבָּהֲל֣וּ veyibahalu HC/VNi3mp and be terrified and they will be alarmed 2
H926-06 נִבְהַ֣ל nivehal HVNp3ms he was terrified he was alarmed 2
H926-13 תְּבַהֵ֨ל tevahel HVpj2ms may you terrify 2
H926-07 נִבְהָלָה֙ nivehalah HVNsfsa horrifying being alarmed 2
H926-24 וְֽ/נִבְהָ֓לוּ venivehalu HC/VNq3cp And they shall be afraid and they were alarmed 2
H926-11 נִֽבֳהָ֥ל nivohal HVNrmsa hastens the one being alarmed 1
H926-04 מְבֹהָלִ֥ים mevohalim HVPsmpa hastened panic-stricken ones 1
H926-09 נִבְהַ֖לְתִּי nivehaleti HVNp1cs I was dismayed I was alarmed 1
H926-17 וּֽ/מְבַהֲלִ֥ים umevahalim HC/Vprmpa and alarming and the ones causing alarm 1

Occurrences in Scripture

39 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H926-10 Genesis 45:3 נִבְהֲל֖וּ nivehalu HVNp3cp they were dismayed they were alarmed
H926-10 Exodus 15:15 נִבְהֲלוּ֙ nivehalu HVNp3cp were dismayed they were alarmed
H926-22 Judges 20:41 וַ/יִּבָּהֵ֖ל vayibahel HC/VNw3ms and panicked and he became alarmed
H926-06 1 Samuel 28:21 נִבְהַ֣ל nivehal HVNp3ms he was terrified he was alarmed
H926-10 2 Samuel 4:1 נִבְהָֽלוּ nivehalu HVNp3cp were dismayed they were alarmed
H926-24 Isaiah 13:8 וְֽ/נִבְהָ֓לוּ venivehalu HC/VNq3cp And they shall be afraid and they were alarmed
H926-09 Isaiah 21:3 נִבְהַ֖לְתִּי nivehaleti HVNp1cs I was dismayed I was alarmed
H926-10 Jeremiah 51:32 נִבְהָֽלוּ nivehalu HVNp3cp are-terrified they were alarmed
H926-14 Ezekiel 7:27 תִּבָּהַ֑לְנָה tibahalenah HVNi3fp will tremble they will be alarmed
H926-24 Ezekiel 26:18 וְ/נִבְהֲל֛וּ venivehalu HC/VNq3cp and will be terrified and they were alarmed
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