Original Word: בָּטֵל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: batel
Pronunciation: bah-TAHL
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-tale')
Definition: to desist from labor
Meaning: The primary meaning of בָּטֵל is to desist from labor or to cease working. It conveys the idea of stopping an activity, particularly in the context of work or labor.

Word Origin: Derived from the root בָּטַל (batal), which means to cease, desist, or stop.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek entry in Strong's Concordance is G691 (ἀργός, argos), which also conveys the idea of idleness or inactivity. Like בָּטֵל, ἀργός is used in the New Testament to describe a state of being idle or not engaged in work. This Greek term similarly emphasizes the concept of rest or cessation from labor, aligning with the Hebrew understanding of desisting from work.

Usage: The term בָּטֵל is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the cessation of work or labor. It is often associated with rest or the stopping of an activity, reflecting a state of inactivity or idleness.

Context: בָּטֵל (batel) is a verb found in the Hebrew Bible, primarily used to describe the act of ceasing from labor or work. This term is often associated with the Sabbath rest, where labor is intentionally halted as a form of obedience and worship. The concept of ceasing from work is deeply embedded in the biblical understanding of rest and reliance on God. In the context of the Sabbath, בָּטֵל signifies a divinely ordained pause from the regular toil of life, allowing for spiritual reflection and renewal. The cessation of labor is not merely physical but also spiritual, symbolizing trust in God's provision and sovereignty. The use of בָּטֵל in the Hebrew Scriptures underscores the importance of rest and the rhythm of work and cessation as ordained by God.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to cease
NASB Translation
stand idle (1).

[בָּטַל] verb cease (Late Hebrew בָּטֵל, Arabic , Ethiopic both be futile, vain, but Assyrian ba‰âlu, cease Lotz^{TP 68,} so Aramaic בְּטֵיל, ) —

Qal Perfect וּבָֽטְליּ consecutive Ecclesiastes 12:3 and the grinders cease.

I. בטן (meaning dubious; √ of following).

[בְּטֵל] verb cease (late Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect3feminine singular בְּטִלַת Ezra 4:24, Participle feminine singular בָּֽטְלָא Ezra 4:24 (both of work).

Pa`el make to cease, accusative of person: Perfect3masculine plural בַּטִּ֫לוּ Ezra 4:23; Ezra 5:5; Infinitive לְבַטָּלָא Ezra 4:21, accusative of person omitted Ezra 6:3.

cease

A primitive root; to desist from labor -- cease.

וּבָטְל֤וּ ובטלו ū·ḇā·ṭə·lū ūḇāṭəlū uvateLuInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts