Lexical Summary
bahal: To be dismayed, terrified, disturbed, or alarmed
Original Word:בָּהל
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:bahal
Pronunciation:bah-hal
Phonetic Spelling:(baw-hal')
KJV: be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex
NASB:dismayed, terrified, terrify, disturbed, hurry, disturb, eager
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to tremble inwardly (or palpitate)
2. (figuratively) to be (suddenly) alarmed or agitated
3. (causative) to make (suddenly) alarmed or agitated
4. (by implication) to hasten anxiously
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be make affrighted afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash, thrust out,
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.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto disturb, terrify
NASB Translationdismayed (12), disturb (1), disturbed (2), eager (1), hastened (1), hastens (1), hastily (1), hasty (1), hurried (1), hurriedly (1), hurry (2), quickly (1), terrified (7), terrifies (1), terrify (3), terrifying (1), tremble (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (Late Hebrew id. Passive participle
disquieted; Pi`el
disquiet; Pa`el
hasten, be precipitate, also
dismay: but
is
be quiet) —
Perfect1 Samuel 28:21;Psalm 6:4;Isaiah 21:3; consecutiveJob 21:6;Genesis 45:3 +, etc.;ImperfectJudges 20:41; 2masculine singularEcclesiastes 8:3;Psalm 104:29, etc.;ParticiplePsalm 30:8;Proverbs 28:22; feminineZephaniah 1:18; —
be disturbed, dismayed, terrified,Genesis 45:3 (E)Judges 20:41;1 Samuel 28:21;2 Samuel 4:1 ("" , compareEzekiel 7:27 above); of bones of suffererPsalm 6:3 ("" compare belowPsalm 6:4); of hands of dismayed peopleEzekiel 7:27; especially at chastisements & judgments ofExodus 15:15 (song, in E)Psalm 6:4 (subject , "" compare abovePsalm 6:3)Psalm 6:11 ("" )Psalm 30:8; comparePsalm 104:29;Psalm 83:18 ("" )Psalm 90:7;Isaiah 13:8;Isaiah 21:3 (followed by of occasion of fear)Job 23:15 (id.)Jeremiah 51:32;Ezekiel 26:18 (strike out Co);Job 4:5 ("" ), compare alsoJob 21:6 as adjectiveterribleZephaniah 1:18 .
be in haste, hasty (late, compare Aramaic above):Ecclesiastes 8:3be not hasty (to) go from him;Proverbs 28:22hastening after riches.
ImperfectEsther 2:9; suffixDaniel 11:44;Job 22:10;Psalm 2:5; 2masculine singularPsalm 83:16;Exodus 5:1;Exodus 7:9;Infinitive suffix 2Chronicles 35:21; 2Chronicles 32:18;Particle Kt, QrEzra 4:4 (BeRy prefix Kt, see ); —
dismay, terrify, followed by suffix 2 Chronicles 32:18 ("" ),Daniel 11:44;Job 22:10 (subject ),Psalm 2:5 (subject )Psalm 83:16 ("" ; subject ); compare alsoEzra 4:4 (see below ).
hasten, make haste, act hastily (late), 2 Chronicles 35:21God hath given command to speed me (RVm); followed by infinitivemake hasteEsther 2:9; of hasty speechEcclesiastes 5:1 ("" ); of angerEcclesiastes 7:9 .
Participle pluralEsther 8:14, compare QrProverbs 20:21 (so read with Vrss Now Str; AV RV); Kt see ; —hastenedEsther 8:14 of royal posts ("" );hastily gainedProverbs 20:21.
Perfect suffixJob 23:16;Imperfect suffix 2Chronicles 26:20; 3 masculine pluralEsther 6:14; —
dismay, terrify, followed by suffixJob 23:16 (subject ; "" ).
(late)hasten, hurry (transitive), 2 Chronicles 26:20and they hurried him thence ("" );make haste, followed by infinitiveEsther 6:14and they make haste to bring Haman.
Topical Lexicon
Bahal (Strong’s H926)Overview
Bahal portrays the sudden, disquieting alarm that seizes a person, community, or even the natural world when the Lord’s hand disrupts normal order. Whether the panic comes as judgment upon the wicked, a wake-up call to wavering covenant–keepers, or a fleeting crisis in a believer’s life, Scripture treats this fear as real, memorable, and ultimately subject to the sovereignty of God.
Distribution in the Old Testament
Around thirty-seven occurrences are scattered across the Torah (Genesis 45:3;Exodus 15:15), the Historical Books (1 Chronicles 28:20), Wisdom Literature (especially Psalms 6:3; 48:5; 90:7; 104:29; 143:4), and the Prophets (Isaiah 13:8;Jeremiah 49:24;Zephaniah 3:16). The concentration in Psalms underscores its devotional and pastoral importance; the prophetic cluster highlights its role in divine judgment against nations.
Major Thematic Uses
1.Divine Judgment That Terrifies
God can deliberately “panic” hostile nations so that they crumble before His people. “Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab” (Exodus 15:15). The same motif recurs inIsaiah 13:8 andJeremiah 49:24, reminding readers that world powers, no matter how secure, can be unhinged at a word from the Lord.
2.Holy Fear in the Presence of God
Fear grips even the righteous when confronted by unexpected manifestations of God’s power.Psalm 90:7 confesses, “For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath.” Yet the Psalmist moves from alarm to renewed trust, modeling authentic worship that neither denies fear nor allows it to prevail.
3.Personal Spiritual Distress
In individual lament psalms the word exposes inner turmoil. “My soul is deeply distressed; how long, O LORD, how long?” (Psalm 6:3). The believer pours out panic before God, only to find that honest prayer becomes the pathway from alarm to assurance (Psalm 6:8-10).
4.National Crisis and Military Defeat
Prophets employ bahal when enemy armies approach and morale collapses (Isaiah 19:17;Jeremiah 50:37). The panic is both psychological and theological, proving that trust in idols yields instability, while covenant faithfulness grants security (Isaiah 30:15).
5.Creation’s Response to Its Creator
Psalm 104:29 transfers the concept to the animal realm: “When You hide Your face, they panic.” The verse elevates bahal from human emotion to cosmic experience, affirming that every living thing depends moment by moment on God’s sustaining favor.
Historical Progression
• Patriarchal period: Joseph’s brothers are “terrified in his presence” (Genesis 45:3), showing how guilt and sudden revelation intertwine.
• Exodus and Conquest: Nations melt away before Yahweh’s marching people (Exodus 15:15).
• Monarchy: Individual saints fight personal panic while rejoicing in covenant promises (Psalms).
• Exile and Post-exile: Prophets declare coming days when God will again “terrify” the arrogant (Jeremiah 50:37), echoing earlier acts and pointing forward to the final Day of the Lord.
Theological Reflections
• Fear as Judgment and Mercy: The same event that terrifies the impenitent may awaken repentance in the humble (Isaiah 19:22).
• God’s Sovereignty over Emotion: Scripture never treats panic as random; it is always under God’s rule, either permitted or produced for His redemptive purposes.
• Foreshadowing the Gospel: The One who calmed the storm (Mark 4:39) is the ultimate answer to every bahal; He absorbs divine wrath on the cross so that believers need never be “dismayed” eternally.
Pastoral and Ministry Significance
1.Diagnosing Fear
Bahal warns that unchecked panic often flows from misplaced trust. Pastors can guide believers to examine whether their dread signals an idol in the heart or merely a trial calling for deeper dependence on God.
2.Proclaiming Assurance
Verses such as1 Chronicles 28:20 rescue the anxious: “Be strong and courageous… do not be afraid or dismayed, for the LORD God… is with you.” Echoing this promise, ministry can replace paralyzing fear with confident obedience.
3.Interceding for the Nations
Prophetic uses encourage prayer that God would graciously “alarm” hostile powers, not only to restrain evil but to open doors for the gospel.
4.Preparing for Eschatological Realities
Zephaniah 3:16 anticipates a day when Zion “will not fear.” Preaching the consummation of redemption helps believers face present alarms with hope: what terrifies now will be banished then.
Summary
Bahal illumines the anatomy of fear from Genesis to the Prophets. Whether describing Joseph’s brothers, besieged cities, or trembling saints, the word insists that panic is never ultimate. The Lord who provokes righteous terror also speaks peace, leading His people from alarm to adoration and ensuring that final deliverance belongs to those who trust in Him.
Forms and Transliterations
אֶבָּהֵ֑ל אבהל הִבְהִילָֽנִי׃ הבהילני׃ וְֽנִבְהָ֓לוּ ׀ וְיִבָּהֲל֣וּ וְיִבָּהֲל֥וּ וְנִבְהֲל֛וּ וְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּי וִֽ֝יבַהֶלְךָ וַ֠יְבַהֵל וַיִּבָּהֵ֖ל וַיַּבְהִ֙לוּ֙ וַיַּבְהִל֖וּהוּ וַתִּבָּהֵֽל׃ וּֽלְבַהֲלָ֑ם ויבהל ויבהלו ויבהלוהו ויבהלך ולבהלם ונבהלו ונבהלתי ותבהל׃ יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃ יְבַהֲלֻ֔הוּ יִֽבָּהֵ֫ל֥וּן יבהלהו יבהלון יבהלמו׃ לְבַֽהֲלֵ֑נִי לבהלני מְבֹהָלִ֥ים מבהלים נִֽבֳהָ֥ל נִבְהֲל֖וּ נִבְהֲל֣וּ נִבְהֲל֥וּ נִבְהֲלָ֣ה נִבְהֲלוּ֙ נִבְהַ֖לְתִּי נִבְהַ֣ל נִבְהָֽלְנוּ׃ נִבְהָֽל׃ נִבְהָֽלוּ׃ נִבְהָלָה֙ נבהל נבהל׃ נבהלה נבהלו נבהלו׃ נבהלנו׃ נבהלתי תְּבַהֵ֥ל תְּבַהֵ֨ל תְבַהֲלֵֽם׃ תִּבָּהֵ֤ל תִּבָּהַ֑לְנָה תבהל תבהלם׃ תבהלנה ’eb·bā·hêl ’ebbāhêl ebbaHel hiḇ·hî·lā·nî hiḇhîlānî hivhiLani lə·ḇa·hă·lê·nî ləḇahălênî levahaLeni mə·ḇō·hā·lîm məḇōhālîm mevohaLim ni·ḇo·hāl niḇ·hă·lāh niḇ·hā·lāh niḇ·hā·lə·nū niḇ·hă·lū niḇ·hā·lū niḇ·hal niḇ·hāl niḇ·hal·tî niḇhal niḇhāl niḇhălāh niḇhālāh niḇhālənū niḇhaltî niḇhălū niḇhālū niḇohāl nivHal nivhaLah nivHalnu nivHalti nivhaLu nivoHal ṯə·ḇa·hă·lêm tə·ḇa·hêl ṯəḇahălêm təḇahêl tevahaLem tevaHel tib·bā·hal·nāh tib·bā·hêl tibbaHalnah tibbāhalnāh tibbaHel tibbāhêl ū·lə·ḇa·hă·lām ūləḇahălām ulevahaLam vaiyavHilu vaiyavhiLuhu vaiyibbaHel vattibbaHel Vayvahel venivHalti venivHalu veyibbahaLu Vivahelcha wat·tib·bā·hêl wattibbāhêl way·ḇa·hêl way·yaḇ·hi·lū way·yaḇ·hi·lū·hū way·yib·bā·hêl wayḇahêl wayyaḇhilū wayyaḇhilūhū wayyibbāhêl wə·niḇ·hā·lə·tî wə·niḇ·hă·lū wə·niḇ·hā·lū wə·yib·bā·hă·lū wəniḇhālətî wəniḇhălū wəniḇhālū wəyibbāhălū wî·ḇa·hel·ḵā wîḇahelḵā yə·ḇa·hă·lê·mōw yə·ḇa·hă·lu·hū yəḇahălêmōw yəḇahăluhū yevahaLemov yevahaLuhu yib·bā·hê·lūn yibbaHeLun yibbāhêlūn
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