Lexical Summary bul: block, food Original Word: בּוּל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance food, stock For ybuwl; produce (of the earth, etc.) -- food, stock. see HEBREW ybuwl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yabal Definition produce, outgrowth NASB Translation block (1), food (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. בּוּל noun masculine product, produce, see יבול. בּוּל noun [masculine] produce, outgrowth (abbreviated or scribal error for foregoing) — only singular construct הָרִים ׳ב Job 40:20; also עֵץ ׳ב Isaiah 44:19 the produce of a tree, i.e. a block of wood. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Semantic Range The term denotes that which issues forth from something else—either the natural “yield” that springs from the land (Job 40:20) or the leftover “block” or “lump” of wood that remains after fuel has been taken (Isaiah 44:19). The idea of “produce” or “that which is brought forth” unites both contexts: a positive, life-sustaining outflow in Job and a worthless residue in Isaiah. Key Passages Job 40:20 – “Surely the mountains yield him their produce, and all the animals of the field play nearby.” Isaiah 44:19 – “I burned half of it in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals, I roasted meat and ate. Shall I now make an abomination of what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” Biblical Usage 1. Provision of Creation (Job 40:20) 2. Worthlessness of Idolatry (Isaiah 44:19) Historical and Cultural Background Ancient agrarian societies relied on mountain terraces for pasture and cultivated “high-country” plots for grain and fruit. To see such terrain “yield produce” affirmed the covenant promise of blessing on the land (Deuteronomy 33:13-16). Wood, a critical daily commodity, was harvested from the same hills. Craftsmen turned felled trunks into beams, utensils, and religious images. Isaiah confronts a culture in which abundant resources tempted people to recast God’s gifts into counterfeit gods. Theological Significance • Creation as Abundant Gift: “Bul” in Job resonates with Genesis 1:29-30; the earth is designed to bring forth bounty for God’s creatures. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Stewardship: Teach believers to receive and distribute God’s “yield” gratefully, avoiding both waste and idol-making consumerism. Illustrative Insights • Just as the Behemoth never tills a field yet eats its fill, believers are reminded that “He gives food to every creature” (Psalm 136:25). Related Themes and Cross-References Provision: Psalm 65:9-13; Matthew 6:26 Idolatry: Exodus 20:4-5; 1 John 5:21 Stewardship: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Futility of Humanly-Fashioned Gods: Psalm 115:4-8; Acts 17:29 Summary “Bul” captures both the generosity and the misuse of creation. In Job it sings of mountains pouring out sustenance; in Isaiah it warns of hearts bending before the leftover scraps. Together these snapshots call God’s people to trust His provision, steward His gifts, and reserve worship for the One from whom every true “yield” originates. Forms and Transliterations ב֭וּל בול לְב֥וּל לבול ḇūl lə·ḇūl ləḇūl leVul vulLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 40:20 HEB: כִּֽי־ ב֭וּל הָרִ֣ים יִשְׂאוּ־ NAS: bring him food, And all KJV: bring him forth food, where all the beasts INT: for food the mountains bring Isaiah 44:19 2 Occurrences |
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