In the context of the Bible, the term "ball" is not frequently mentioned, but it can be understood in a few different ways based on the cultural and historical context of the biblical narrative. The concept of a ball, as an object, can be associated with play, sport, or even as a metaphorical device in Scripture.

Biblical References and Context

1. Isaiah 22:18 · The most direct reference to a ball in the Bible is found in Isaiah 22:18, where the prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s judgment against Shebna, a steward in the king's palace. The verse states: "He will roll you up tightly like a ball and throw you into a large country; there you will die, and there your splendid chariots will remain—you disgrace to your master’s house!" . Here, the imagery of a ball is used metaphorically to describe the act of being rolled up and cast away, symbolizing the complete removal and disgrace of Shebna from his position of authority.

2. Metaphorical Use · The use of a ball in Isaiah 22:18 serves as a powerful metaphor for judgment and displacement. In ancient times, a ball could be made of various materials, such as leather or animal bladders, and was used in games and activities. The act of rolling or throwing a ball implies a sense of force and direction, which in this context, illustrates the decisive and unyielding nature of divine judgment.

3. Cultural and Historical Insights · While the Bible does not provide extensive details on recreational activities involving balls, historical and archaeological findings suggest that ball games were known in ancient cultures surrounding Israel. These games were often played for entertainment and physical exercise. The metaphorical use of a ball in Scripture may draw from these cultural understandings, using familiar objects to convey spiritual truths.

4. Symbolism and Interpretation · From a theological perspective, the imagery of a ball being rolled and thrown can be interpreted as a symbol of God's sovereign power and authority. It reflects the idea that God has control over the destinies of individuals and nations, and His judgments are both purposeful and inevitable. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of divine justice and the accountability of leaders and nations before God.

Theological Implications

The reference to a ball in Isaiah highlights the importance of humility and faithfulness in positions of leadership. It serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance, reminding believers of the need to trust in God's wisdom and guidance. The passage underscores the belief that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, directing the course of history according to His divine will.

In summary, while the term "ball" is not a central theme in the Bible, its metaphorical use in Isaiah provides rich insights into the nature of God's judgment and the responsibilities of those in authority. The imagery serves as a vivid reminder of the transient nature of human power and the enduring sovereignty of God.1. (n.) Any round or roundish body or mass; a sphere or globe; as, a ball of twine; a ball of snow.

2. (n.) A spherical body of any substance or size used to play with, as by throwing, knocking, kicking, etc.

3. (n.) A general name for games in which a ball is thrown, kicked, or knocked. See Football.

4. (n.) Any solid spherical, cylindrical, or conical projectile of lead or iron, to be discharged from a firearm; as, a cannon ball; a rifle ball; -- often used collectively; as, powder and ball. Spherical balls for the smaller firearms are commonly called bullets.

5. (n.) A flaming, roundish body shot into the air; a case filled with combustibles intended to burst and give light or set fire, or to produce smoke or stench; as, a fire ball; a stink ball.

6. (n.) A leather-covered cushion, fastened to a handle called a ballstock; -- formerly used by printers for inking the form, but now superseded by the roller.

7. (n.) A roundish protuberant portion of some part of the body; as, the ball of the thumb; the ball of the foot.

8. (n.) A large pill, a form in which medicine is commonly given to horses; a bolus.

9. (n.) The globe or earth.

10. (v. i.) To gather balls which cling to the feet, as of damp snow or clay; to gather into balls; as, the horse balls; the snow balls.

11. (v. t.) To heat in a furnace and form into balls for rolling.

12. (v. t.) To form or wind into a ball; as, to ball cotton.

13. (n.) A social assembly for the purpose of dancing.

BALL

bol (dur): A rare Hebrew word used in this sense only in Isaiah 22:18, and correctly rendered in the American Standard Revised Version "He will surely wind thee round and round, and toss thee like a ball into a large country." De Or, Bottcher, Jastrow, following Talmud, regard the noun as kaddur, but perhaps incorrectly.

See also GAMES.

4974. sphudron -- the ankle
... Neuter of a presumed derivative probably of the same as sphaira (a ball, "sphere";
compare the feminine sphura, a hammer); the ankle (as globular) -- ancle bone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4974.htm - 6k1754. dur -- a circle, ball
... 1753, 1754. dur. 1755 . a circle, ball. Transliteration: dur Phonetic
Spelling: (dure) Short Definition: ball. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/1754.htm - 6k

6802. tsenephah -- toss
... Word Origin see tsanaph. toss From tsanaph; a ball -- X toss. see HEBREW tsanaph.
6801, 6802. tsenephah. 6803 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6802.htm - 5k

380. ishon -- the pupil (of the eye)
... Diminutive from 'iysh; the little man of the eye; the pupil or ball; hence, the
middle (of night) -- apple (of the eye), black, obscure. see HEBREW 'iysh. ...
/hebrew/380.htm - 6k

Through a Love of Ball-Playing and Shows, He Neglects his Studies ...
... Book I. Chapter X."Through a Love of Ball-Playing and Shows, He Neglects
His Studies and the Injunctions of His Parents. 16. And ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter x through a love of.htm

Essay iv. The Generous Spirit, Who, when Brought among the Tasks ...
... At the close of the American war, Captain Ball was entrusted with the protection
and convoying of an immense mercantile fleet to America, and by his great ...
/.../confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay iv the generous spirit.htm

Letter xii . --On his Work against Eunomius.
... to whatever conclusion you come, you will of course read them, as to a teacher and
corrector, to those who do not act like the players at ball [2204] , when ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xii on his work.htm

Early Missionary Experiences
... where, at the door of the hospital, we found the two poor coolies with whom Mr.
Wylie had conversed, their four ankles terribly shattered by a cannon ball. ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter ix early missionary experiences.htm

Events of Early Christian Life
... By this time mother was standing in the door and calling, "Mary, come quick and
you can see what is causing the light." What I saw, was a large ball of fire. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter vi events of early.htm

Letter B
... Baldwin, Charles R. "Received 1834 * Baldwin, John "Received 1782, Located 1795 *
Baldwin, Lucius "Received, 1821, Located 1834 * Ball, John "Received ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter b.htm

Of Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata, and Others.
... Some lads were playing ball in the market place and enjoying the game,
when Lucius was passing by. It chanced that the ball was ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xiii of eusebius bishop of.htm

Essay iii. Si Partem Tacuisse Velim, Quodeumque Relinquam, Majus ...
... descents. Sir Alexander Ball was a gentleman by birth; a younger brother
of an old and respectable family in Gloucestershire. He ...
/.../confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay iii si partem tacuisse.htm

Religious and Social State.
... The representation of Cyrus as a worshipper of Bel agrees with the account of himself
in the Annals of Nabu-nahid, cited by Ball on v.4; and Sayce (Temple Bible ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/religious and social state 3.htm

Title and Position.
... In the Syriac of Heraclius (= W[2] of Ball, pp.323a, 330a) it is entitled "The Book
of the child Daniel," or "The Book of little Daniel" (Churton, 389b). ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/title and position 2.htm

Ball (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Any round or roundish body or mass; a
sphere or globe; as, a ball of twine; a ball of snow. 2. (n ...
/b/ball.htm - 9k

Bowl (44 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A ball of wood or other material used for rolling on a level surface in
play; a ball of hard wood having one side heavier than the other, so as to give ...
/b/bowl.htm - 26k

English
... 6. (n.) A twist or spinning motion given to a ball in striking it that influences
the direction it will take after touching a cushion or another ball. ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

Toss (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To throw with the hand; especially, to throw with
the palm of the hand upward, or to throw upward; as, to toss a ball. ...
/t/toss.htm - 10k

Pull (32 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To strike the ball in a particular manner. ... 16. (n.) A kind of stroke by which
a leg ball is sent to the off side, or an off ball to the side. ...
/p/pull.htm - 17k

Bound (175 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To rebound, as an elastic ball. ... 9. (vt) To cause to rebound; to throw
so that it will rebound; as, to bound a ball on the floor. 10. ...
/b/bound.htm - 41k

Manasses (1 Occurrence)
... Lit., II, 399), Budde (ZAW, 1892, 39;), Ball (Speaker's Apocrypha) and others argue
for a Hebrew original, perhaps existing in the source named of 2 Chronicles ...
/m/manasses.htm - 19k

Roll (57 Occurrences)
... over and over; to move by turning on an axis; to impel forward by causing to turn
over and over on a supporting surface; as, to roll a wheel, a ball, or a ...
/r/roll.htm - 33k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of overthrowing; the state of being overthrow; ruin. 4. (n.)
The act of throwing a ball too high, as over a player's head. ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... Of specific games and pets there is hardly a mention in the Old Testament.
Playing with ball is alluded to in Isaiah 22:18: "He will. ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

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