Hebrew word · H1101

בָּלַל

balal

to mix

'To mix, mingle, moisten', usually of flour worked together with oil (Lev 2:4–5; 7:10, 12). It can also mean to confuse or jumble, as in the wordplay on Babel, where God 'confused' (balal) the language (Gen 11:9). Elsewhere it is used of fodder mixed for animals (Isa 30:24, a related form).

Appears 43 times in 41 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to mix, mingle, confuse, confound

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to mingle, confuse

1a2) to mix

1b) (Hithpoel) to mix oneself (among others)

1c) (Hiphil) to fade away

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Numbers 28:5

Range of meaning

'To mix, mingle, moisten', usually of flour worked together with oil (Lev 2:4–5; 7:10, 12). It can also mean to confuse or jumble, as in the wordplay on Babel, where God 'confused' (balal) the language (Gen 11:9). Elsewhere it is used of fodder mixed for animals (Isa 30:24, a related form).

Against the English

'Mixed' (BSB, WEB, ESV, NASB, NIV) and 'mingled' (KJV) are both accurate.

Used elsewhere in the period

The LXX of the offering laws often uses anapoieō / anapepoiēmenē ('kneaded, worked up') or phyraō ('knead together') for this verb, which shows that Greek-speaking Jews pictured flour and oil worked into a dough-like mixture.

From the study of Psalm 92:10

Range of meaning

To mix or mingle, especially to moisten or soak flour with oil (Lev 2:4–5; 7:10, 12; Num 7, many times). Also to confuse or jumble languages (Gen 11:7, 9, the wordplay on Babel) and to mix fodder (Judg 19:21).

Against the English

BSB, KJV, NASB and WEB have 'anointed'. ESV ('you have poured over me') and NIV ('have been poured on me') make it pouring. None of these shows that the word is not Israel's ordinary ritual 'anointing' verb (mashach, the root of 'messiah').

How it drifted

'Anointed' is a reasonable translation, but in English it suggests a ceremony of consecration such as making a king or priest. The Hebrew picture is closer to being soaked or steeped in rich oil, like the oil-soaked offering bread.

Used elsewhere in the period

This is the only place in the Hebrew Bible where the word is used of a person and oil. Its common use is in the priestly offering laws. The Septuagint did not read it as balal at all (see textual notes).

From the study of Genesis 11:7

Range of meaning

To mix, mingle or stir together, especially to moisten and blend dry material with liquid (flour with oil). By extension, to mix up or throw into confusion. Some lexicons list a related sense, 'to give fodder' (a mixed feed, cf. Judg 19:21, from the same root). The image is physical: a blending that cannot be undone.

Against the English

Modern versions say 'confuse'. That is correct but abstract, and it can sound like a feeling of bewilderment. The KJV's 'confound' meant in 1611 what its Latin root says ('pour together'), but today it suggests puzzling someone. YLT's 'mingle' keeps the physical picture best.

How it drifted

The English 'confound' moved from 'mix together, throw into disorder' toward 'baffle, perplex', so the KJV now reads as if God puzzled people's minds instead of mixing up their speech.

Used elsewhere in the period

Throughout the priestly laws for grain offerings: 'fine flour mixed (bəlûlāh) with oil' (Lev 2:4–5; 7:10, 12; Num 28:5). Also Hos 7:8: 'Ephraim mixes himself (yitbôlāl) among the peoples'. The Greek translation (LXX) renders it here with synchéō, 'pour together, confound', and the Latin Vulgate with confundere ('pour together'). Both keep the 'mixing' picture.

Where it appears

Genesis · 2

  1. Genesis 11:7 וְנָבְלָ֥ה and let us confuse

    Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”

    Here: 'And let us mix up'. Balal is the word for mixing flour with oil (Lev 2:4–5), so the picture is of stirring something together until it can no longer be separated. It sets up the pun in v. 9: the place is called Bāvel (Babel/Babylon) because there the LORD bālal ('mixed up'). Its letters (n-b-l) also run the builders' 'let us make bricks' (nilbənāh, l-b-n) backwards.

  2. Genesis 11:9 בָּלַ֥ל he confused

    That is why it is called Babel, for there the LORD confused the language of the whole world, and from that place the LORD scattered them over the face of all the earth.

    Here: 'He mixed'. This is the everyday verb for mixing flour with oil. Yahweh mixed up their speech so that it no longer worked as one shared language, and the b-l sound echoes 'Babel'.

Exodus · 2

  1. Exodus 29:2 בְּלוּלֹ֣ת mixed

    along with unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. Make them out of fine wheat flour,

  2. Exodus 29:40 בָּל֨וּל mixed

    With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine.

    Here: A passive form: the flour has been worked together with the oil until it is moistened through. It is not just poured over the top.

Leviticus · 9

  1. Leviticus 2:4 בְּלוּלֹ֣ת mixed

    Now if you bring an offering of grain baked in an oven, it must consist of fine flour, either unleavened cakes mixed with oil or unleavened wafers coated with oil.

    Here: 'Mixed', i.e. having the oil worked through the dough before baking. Here the oil is inside the bread.

  2. Leviticus 2:5 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    If your offering is a grain offering prepared on a griddle, it must be unleavened bread made of fine flour mixed with oil.

  3. Leviticus 7:10 בְלוּלָֽה־ mixed

    and every grain offering, whether dry or mixed with oil, belongs equally to all the sons of Aaron.

  4. Leviticus 7:12 בְּלוּלֹ֣ת בְּלוּלֹ֥ת mixed

    If he offers it in thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with olive oil, unleavened wafers coated with oil, and well-kneaded cakes of fine flour mixed with oil.

    Here: 'Mixed', meaning oil worked into the dough. This makes a richer bread than an ordinary loaf.

  5. Leviticus 9:4 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    an ox and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’”

  6. Leviticus 14:10 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    On the eighth day he is to bring two unblemished male lambs, an unblemished ewe lamb a year old, a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil, and one log of olive oil.

    Here: The flour is moistened and worked through with oil. This is the normal way a grain offering was prepared (Lev 2:4–5).

  7. Leviticus 14:21 בָּל֥וּל mixed

    If, however, the person is poor and cannot afford these offerings, he is to take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for him, along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, a log of olive oil,

  8. Leviticus 23:13 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    along with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil—a food offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter hin of wine.

    Here: 'Mixed through.' The oil is worked into the flour, not poured on top. The form agrees with sōlet: the flour is what is moistened.

Numbers · 27

  1. Numbers 6:15 בְּלוּלֹ֣ת mixed

    together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—and a basket of unleavened cakes made from fine flour mixed with oil and unleavened wafers coated with oil.

  2. Numbers 7:13 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  3. Numbers 7:19 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    The offering he presented was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  4. Numbers 7:25 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  5. Numbers 7:31 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  6. Numbers 7:37 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  7. Numbers 7:43 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

    Here: "Mixed" or "moistened." The form is a feminine passive participle agreeing with solet: the flour has been worked together with oil.

  8. Numbers 7:49 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  9. Numbers 7:55 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

    Here: "Mixed": the flour has been worked together with oil, the normal recipe for a grain offering (Lev 2:4–5).

  10. Numbers 7:61 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  11. Numbers 7:67 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  12. Numbers 7:73 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  13. Numbers 7:79 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

  14. Numbers 8:8 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    Then have them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering.

  15. Numbers 15:4 בָּל֕וּל mixed

    then the one presenting his offering to the LORD shall also present a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil.

    Here: "Mixed" or "moistened." The flour is worked together with oil into a rich, oily dough or crumb. It is not baked here; this is the raw form in which it goes to the altar.

  16. Numbers 15:6 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    With a ram you are to prepare a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of olive oil,

  17. Numbers 15:9 בָּל֥וּל mixed

    present with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of olive oil.

  18. Numbers 28:5 בְּלוּלָ֛ה mixed

    along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives.

    Here: A passive participle, 'having been mixed / mingled'. It is feminine because it agrees with the flour: the oil is worked through the flour, not poured on top of it.

  19. Numbers 28:9 בְּלוּלָ֥ה mixed

    On the Sabbath day, present two unblemished year-old male lambs, accompanied by a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, as well as a drink offering.

  20. Numbers 28:12 בְּלוּלָ֣ה בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with the ram,

  21. Numbers 28:13 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.

  22. Numbers 28:20 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    The grain offering shall consist of fine flour mixed with oil; offer three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram,

  23. Numbers 28:28 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram,

  24. Numbers 29:3 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram,

  25. Numbers 29:9 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram,

  26. Numbers 29:14 בְּלוּלָ֣ה mixed

    along with the grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil with each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah with each of the two rams,

Judges · 1

  1. Judges 19:21 וַיָּ֖בָל and he fed

    So he brought him to his house and fed his donkeys. And they washed their feet and ate and drank.

Psalms · 1

  1. Psalm 92:10 בַּ֝לֹּתִ֗י I have been anointed

    But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed.

    Here: 'I am moistened / steeped.' This is not the usual verb for ceremonial anointing (mashach). It is the verb for flour 'mixed' or soaked with oil in the grain offerings. The form is hard to parse, and the ancient versions read it differently (see textual notes).

Hosea · 1

  1. Hosea 7:8 יִתְבּוֹלָ֑ל he mixes himself

    Ephraim mixes with the nations; Ephraim is an unturned cake.

    Here: 'He mixes himself.' The form is reflexive, so Ephraim does this to itself; no one forces it. The tense is ongoing: it keeps doing it. This is the baker's verb for working flour together with oil, so it carries on the bakery picture from verses 4–7.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.