belthil

proper name. Divine Radiance

Name of the White Tree of Gondolin, translated “Divine Radiance” (S/126, SI/Belthil). Its name is derived from a combination of the primitive roots √BAL “(divine) power” and √THIL “shine (silver)”.

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, this name was G. Bansil “Fairgleam” (LT2/214), revised in one place to Banthil (LT2/203). The name was changed to Belthil towards the end of the Lays of Beleriand from the 1920s (LB/81, 195). The name N. Belthil was translated “Divine Radiance” in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, and also appeared in The Etymologies with the derivation given above (Ety/BAL, SIL, THIL). @@@ Silvant

Derivations

• √THIL “shine silver; white light” ✧ SA/sil

Elements

Word	Gloss
BAL	“power; powerful, mighty; have power”
THIL	“shine silver; white light”

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
√thil- > Belthil	[baltʰil] > [balθil] > [belθil]	✧ SA/sil

Belthil

Belthil

Belthil translates to Divine Radiance bel = powers, thil = shine with white or silver light.