# \*bhl: 'to speak emphatically, to pray; to say'

> Proto-Semitic *bhl, 'to speak emphatically, to pray; to say': reflexes in 14 language(s).

A page of the Linear A Lexicon's research wiki, in [Wiki](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/index.md>) › [Kaphtor Semitic Roots](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/index.md>) › [B](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/b/index.md>). Updated 2026-10-22.

## Root

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction | \*bhl |
| Meaning | 'to speak emphatically, to pray; to say' |
| Basis | project |

## Reflexes

| Language | Form | Sources | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akkadian | baˀālu (CAD B 2, AHw. 101, EDA I 85, ◊P0128) | CAD B 2, AHw. 101, EDA I 85, ◊P0128 | gloss withheld |
| Arabic | bhl (Lane 267 apud SEDonline 1107) | Lane 267; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Geez | bəhla (CDG 89 apud SEDonline 1107) | CDG 89; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Tigre | belä (WTS 267 apud SEDonline 1107) | WTS 267; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Tigrinya | bälä (TED 1074 apud SEDonline 1107) | TED 1074; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Amharic | alä (AED 1094 apud SEDonline 1107) | AED 1094; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Argobba | ɨbbehhal (Wetter 2010:91 apud SEDonline 1107); ala (LGz. 89) | Wetter 2010:91; SEDonline 1107; LGz. 89 | gloss withheld |
| Harari | bāyä (EDH 49 apud SEDonline 1107) | EDH 49; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| East Ethiopic | Sel. Zwy. bālä, Wol. balä (EDG 138 apud SEDonline 1107) | EDG 138; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Gurage | Cha. Ezha End. Enn. Gye. Msq. barä, Muh. beä, Gog. bea, Sod. balä (EDG 138 apud SEDonline 1107) | EDG 138; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Mehri | bəhlīt (ML 45 apud SEDonline 1107) | ML 45; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Jibbali | bɛhlét (JL 24 apud SEDonline 1107) | JL 24; SEDonline 1107 | gloss withheld |
| Gafat | balä (LGz. 89) | LGz. 89 | gloss withheld |
| Harsusi | behelēt (LGz. 89) | LGz. 89 | gloss withheld |

A form keeps its source's gloss only when the source is public domain or openly licensed.

## Notes

Akk. var. bâlu. Not 3084 \*bhl 'to be frightened, confused'.

## Linked from

- [B](<https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/b/index.md>)

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Page: https://linear-a.ai/wiki/semitic-roots/b/3152_to_speak_emphatically_to_pray_to_say/
Licence: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Cite as: di Mino, Tom. 2026. Linear A Lexicon. Plasma AI. https://linear-a.ai/. Data: kaphtor, commit add28e94.