b-l-'

Description

The Arabic root بلع (b-l-ʿ) carries the core meaning of swallowing or engulfing something completely, often with force or urgency. In the Quran, this root appears in the story of Noah's flood where the earth is commanded to swallow its water (Q 11:44), illustrating Allah's absolute power over creation and the finality of His divine decree. The imagery conveys total absorption and the irreversible nature of divine commands, emphasizing themes of God's sovereignty and the cessation of punishment once His judgment is complete.