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Hebrew verb · H926

בָּהַל

bahalbaw-hal'

to dismay

39 uses in the Hebrew text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key

Concordance spelling: bâhal

Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's H926is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.

  • 17 of 39
    Old Testament books
  • 39
    spellings

The definition in full

Strong's key (1890) · H926

to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously

The King James renders it: be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex.

James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.

Summary

bahal is rendered "to dismay". It stands 39 times in the Hebrew text, across seventeen books.

  • Ten of the uses stand in Psalms, more than in any other book.
  • Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Genesis 45:3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.
  • The Greek text spells it thirty-nine different ways.

The first use

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

Genesis 45:3נִבְהֲל֖וּ

The first use, in the order of the Old Testament's books.

Where the word stands

Ten of the word's thirty-nine uses are in Psalms.

The other 22 Old Testament books never use the word.

What the word means

Each meaning, and the words it is translated by

How the Greek text is glossed, word by word

  • they are terrified3
  • they were terrified3
  • you be hasty3
  • and they will be terrified2
  • I am terrified2
  • a terrible1
  • and he hastened1
  • and he was terrified1
  • and I am disturbed1
  • and it terrifies you1
  • and terrifying1
  • and they hastened him1

and 19 more, 39 uses in all

The words built on the same word-part

Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.

בָּהִירbahirbrightUses1

All 39, in canonical order

Every use, in order

Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.

39 spellings and their grammar

STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.

How it is spelled

  • אֶבָּהֵ֑ל1
  • הִבְהִילָֽנִי׃1
  • וַ֠יְבַהֵל1
  • וַיִּבָּהֵ֖ל1
  • וְיִבָּהֲל֣וּ1
  • וְיִבָּהֲל֥וּ1
  • וַיַּבְהִ֙לוּ֙1
  • וַיַּבְהִל֖וּהוּ1
  • וִֽ֝יבַהֶלְךָ1
  • וּֽלְבַהֲלָ֑ם1
  • וּֽמְבַהֲלִ֥ים1
  • וְנִבְהֲל֛וּ1

and 27 more spellings in the ledger below.

The grammar of each form

  • verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common plural6HVNp3cp
  • Hc/VNq3cp2Hc/VNq3cp
  • HC/VNu3mp2HC/VNu3mp
  • verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), participle · masculine singular2HVNrmsa
  • verb · intensive (piel), jussive (“let him”) · 2nd person masculine singular2HVpj2ms
  • conjunction (“and”) + preposition + verb · intensive (piel), infinitive (“to…”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine plural1HC/R/Vpcc/Sp3mp
  • Hc/Vhw3mp1Hc/Vhw3mp
  • Hc/Vhw3mp/Sp3ms1Hc/Vhw3mp/Sp3ms
  • conjunction (“and”) + verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 1st person common singular1HC/VNp1cs
  • Hc/VNw2ms1Hc/VNw2ms
  • Hc/VNw3ms1Hc/VNw3ms
  • conjunction (“and”) + verb · intensive (piel), participle · masculine plural1HC/Vprmpa

Genesis

one use
  • Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

    Genesis 45:3

    • נִבְהֲל֖וּnivhaluverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they were terrified

Exodus

one use
  • Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away,

    Exodus 15:15

    • נִבְהֲלוּ֙nivhaluverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they are terrified

Judges

one use
  • Then the men of Israel turned back on them, and the men of Benjamin were terrified when they realized that disaster had come upon them.

    Judges 20:41

    • וַיִּבָּהֵ֖לvaiyibahelHc/VNw3mstagged: and he was terrified

1 Samuel

one use
  • When the woman came to Saul and saw how distraught he was, she said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hands and did as you told me.

    1 Samuel 28:21

    • נִבְהַ֣לnivhalverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: he was terrified

2 Samuel

one use
  • Now when Ish-bosheth son of Saul heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost courage, and all Israel was dismayed.

    2 Samuel 4:1

    • נִבְהָֽלוּ׃nivhaluverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they were terrified

2 Chronicles

three uses
  • When Azariah the chief priest and all the priests turned to him and saw his leprous forehead, they rushed him out. Indeed, he himself hurried to get out, because the LORD had afflicted him.

    2 Chronicles 26:20

    • וַיַּבְהִל֖וּהוּvaiyavhiluhuHc/Vhw3mp/Sp3mstagged: and they hastened him
  • Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city.

    2 Chronicles 32:18

    • וּֽלְבַהֲלָ֑םulevahalamconjunction (“and”) + preposition + verb · intensive (piel), infinitive (“to…”) + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: and to terrify them
  • But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty. God told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!”

    2 Chronicles 35:21

    • לְבַֽהֲלֵ֑נִיlevahalenipreposition + verb · intensive (piel), infinitive (“to…”) + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: to hurry I

Ezra

one use
  • Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.

    Ezra 4:4

    • וּֽמְבַהֲלִ֥יםumevalahimconjunction (“and”) + verb · intensive (piel), participle · masculine pluraltagged: and terrifying

Esther

three uses
  • And the young woman pleased him and obtained his favor, so he quickly provided her with beauty treatments and the special diet. He assigned to her seven select maidservants from the palace and transferred her with them to the best place in the harem.

    Esther 2:9

    • וַ֠יְבַהֵלvayvahelHc/Vpw3mstagged: and he hastened
  • While they were still speaking with Haman, the king’s eunuchs arrived and rushed him to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

    Esther 6:14

    • וַיַּבְהִ֙לוּ֙vaiyavhiluHc/Vhw3mptagged: and they made haste
  • The couriers rode out in haste on their royal horses, pressed on by the command of the king. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa.

    Esther 8:14

    • מְבֹהָלִ֥יםmevohalimverb · intensive passive (pual), passive participle · masculine pluraltagged: hastened

Job

five uses
  • But now trouble has come upon you, and you are weary. It strikes you, and you are dismayed.

    Job 4:5

    • וַתִּבָּהֵֽל׃vatibahelHc/VNw2mstagged: and you have become dismayed
  • When I remember, terror takes hold, and my body trembles in horror.

    Job 21:6

    • וְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּיvenivhalticonjunction (“and”) + verb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 1st person common singulartagged: and I am disturbed
  • Therefore snares surround you, and sudden peril terrifies you;

    Job 22:10

    • וִֽ֝יבַהֶלְךָvivahelkhaHC/Vpu3ms/Sp2mstagged: and it terrifies you
  • Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I fear Him.

    Job 23:15

    • אֶבָּהֵ֑לʾebahelverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), yiqtol (imperfect) · 1st person common singulartagged: I am terrified
  • God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me.

    Job 23:16

    • הִבְהִילָֽנִי׃hivhilaniverb · causative (hiphil), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person masculine singular + pronoun suffix · 1st person masculine or feminine singulartagged: he has terrified me

Psalms

ten uses
  • Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:

    Psalms 2:5

    • יְבַהֲלֵֽמוֹ׃yevahalemovverb · intensive (piel), yiqtol (imperfect) · 3rd person masculine singular + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: he terrifies them
  • Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am frail; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are in agony.

    Psalms 6:2

    • נִבְהֲל֣וּnivhaluverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they are disturbed
  • My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long?

    Psalms 6:3

    • נִבְהֲלָ֣הnivhalahverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person feminine singulartagged: it is disturbed
  • All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

    Psalms 6:10

    • וְיִבָּהֲל֣וּveyibahaluHC/VNu3mptagged: and they may be disturbed
  • O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

    Psalms 30:7

    • נִבְהָֽל׃nivhalverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), participle · masculine singulartagged: disturbed
  • They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror.

    Psalms 48:5

    • נִבְהֲל֥וּnivhaluverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they were terrified
  • so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.

    Psalms 83:15

    • תְבַהֲלֵֽם׃tevahalemverb · intensive (piel), yiqtol (imperfect) · 2nd person masculine singular + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine pluraltagged: you will terrify them
  • May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace.

    Psalms 83:17

    • וְיִבָּהֲל֥וּveyibahaluHC/VNu3mptagged: and they may be dismayed
  • For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath.

    Psalms 90:7

    • נִבְהָֽלְנוּ׃nivhalnuverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 1st person common pluraltagged: we are terrified
  • When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.

    Psalms 104:29

    • יִֽבָּהֵ֫ל֥וּןyibahelunverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), yiqtol (imperfect) · 3rd person masculine plural + paragogic nuntagged: they are terrified

Proverbs

two uses
  • An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end.

    Proverbs 20:21

    • מְבֹהֶ֣לֶתmevucheletverb · intensive passive (pual), passive participle · feminine singulartagged: hastily gained
  • A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him.

    Proverbs 28:22

    • נִֽבֳהָ֥לnivohalverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), participle · masculine singulartagged: hastening

Ecclesiastes

three uses
  • Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

    Ecclesiastes 5:2

    • תְּבַהֵ֨לtevahelverb · intensive (piel), jussive (“let him”) · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: you be hasty
  • Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

    Ecclesiastes 7:9

    • תְּבַהֵ֥לtevahelverb · intensive (piel), jussive (“let him”) · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: you be hasty
  • Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.

    Ecclesiastes 8:3

    • תִּבָּהֵ֤לtibahelverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), jussive (“let him”) · 2nd person masculine singulartagged: you be hasty

Isaiah

two uses
  • Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.

    Isaiah 13:8

    • וְֽנִבְהָ֓לוּ׀venivhaluHc/VNq3cptagged: and they will be terrified
  • Therefore my body is filled with anguish. Pain grips me, like the pains of a woman in labor. I am bewildered to hear, I am dismayed to see.

    Isaiah 21:3

    • נִבְהַ֖לְתִּיnivhaltiverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 1st person common singulartagged: I am terrified

Jeremiah

one use
  • The fords have been seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers are terrified.”

    Jeremiah 51:32

    • נִבְהָֽלוּ׃ סnivhaluverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), qatal (perfect) · 3rd person common pluraltagged: they are terrified

Ezekiel

two uses
  • The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and I will judge them by their own standards. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”

    Ezekiel 7:27

    • תִּבָּהַ֑לְנָהtibahalnahverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), yiqtol (imperfect) · 3rd person feminine pluraltagged: they will be terrified
  • Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your downfall; the islands in the sea are dismayed by your demise.”’

    Ezekiel 26:18

    • וְנִבְהֲל֛וּvenivhaluHc/VNq3cptagged: and they will be terrified

Daniel

one use
  • But news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will go out with great fury to destroy many and devote them to destruction.

    Daniel 11:44

    • יְבַהֲלֻ֔הוּyevahaluhuverb · intensive (piel), yiqtol (imperfect) · 3rd person masculine plural + pronoun suffix · 3rd person masculine singulartagged: they will dismay him

Zephaniah

one use
  • Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.

    Zephaniah 1:18

    • נִבְהָלָה֙nivhalahverb · passive or reflexive (niphal), participle · feminine singulartagged: a terrible

The letters

Where it leads

How the numbers are counted

Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.

Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.

The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.

Hebrew and Greek text, word tagging and grammar: STEP Bible (www.STEPBible.org), Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0. Their grammar codes are written out in English here and shown as tagged beside each one.

Meaning and senses: STEP Bible TBESH gloss (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Dictionary key: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890, public domain). English verse text: Berean Standard Bible (public domain, 2023).

Revised 2026-09-05. Every cited work, the sources registry →