Category Archives: Vocabulary

The Hebrew verb בָּרַח (root: ב-ר-ח) means “to flee,” “to escape,” or “to run away.” It is a common action verb used throughout the Hebrew Bible to describe physical flight from danger, pursuit, judgment, or conflict. It can also be used metaphorically for fleeing from sin, judgment, or responsibility. This verb appears primarily in the Qal binyan (simple action) and is used in both narrative and poetic contexts. The form is typically regular and predictable, making it a foundational vocabulary word for students of Biblical Hebrew.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בִּקֵּשׁ (root: ב-ק-שׁ) means “to seek,” “to request,” or “to desire.” It belongs to the Piel binyan, and unlike many verbs, it does not typically appear in the Qal. Its form is intensive or causative by nature, indicating purposeful, often passionate pursuit or solicitation. This verb is frequently found throughout the Hebrew Bible in contexts of seeking something from God, searching for wisdom or peace, or requesting a favor or item. It plays a key role in narrative, prophetic, and poetic texts.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּקַר (root: ב-ק-ר) means “to seek,” “to inquire,” “to examine,” or “to inspect.” It often implies a deliberate and careful investigation—whether of people, things, or situations. While it shares a root with nouns like בֹּקֶר (morning), the verbal form is distinct in usage and meaning. This verb appears most often in the Qal binyan (to investigate, examine) and also in Piel (to inspect thoroughly or supervise). It is commonly used in priestly, legal, and administrative contexts, especially in regard to sacrificial animals, health examinations, or inquiries about someone’s welfare.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּצַע (root: ב-צ-ע) primarily means “to cut off,” “to break open,” or “to divide.” Over time, it developed figurative meanings, including “to plunder,” “to gain by violence,” or “to profit unjustly.” In biblical usage, it often carries a negative moral connotation—especially in prophetic texts where it is associated with greed, corruption, and exploitation. בָּצַע appears most frequently in the Qal binyan and occasionally in Niphal (to be broken off) and Pual (to be greedily taken).   Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּצַע Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular בָּצַעְתִּי 2nd person masculine singular בָּצַעְתָּ 2nd person feminine singular בָּצַעְתְּ 3rd person masculine singular בָּצַע 3rd person feminine singular בָּצְעָה 1st person plural בָּצַעְנוּ 2nd person masculine plural בְּצַעְתֶּם 2nd person feminine plural בְּצַעְתֶּן 3rd person plural בָּצְעוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular בּוֹצֵעַ Feminine singular בּוֹצַעַת Masculine plural בּוֹצְעִים Feminine plural בּוֹצְעוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶבְצַע 2nd person masculine singular תִּבְצַע 2nd person feminine singular תִּבְצְעִי 3rd person masculine singular יִבְצַע 3rd person feminine singular תִּבְצַע 1st person plural נִבְצַע 2nd person masculine plural תִּבְצְעוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּבְצַעְנָה 3rd person plural יִבְצְעוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular בְּצַע 2nd person feminine singular בִּצְעִי 2nd person masculine plural בִּצְעוּ 2nd person feminine plural בְּצַעְנָה   Usage in Scripture Genesis 37:26 – מַה־בֶּצַע כִּי נַהֲרֹג אֶת־אָחִינוּ “What profit is there if we kill our brother?”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּנָה (root: ב-נ-ה) means “to build,” “to construct,” or “to establish.” It is a foundational term in biblical Hebrew, used both literally—for constructing houses, cities, or altars—and metaphorically—for establishing families, dynasties, or spiritual legacies. It occurs frequently in narrative, poetic, legal, and prophetic texts. בָּנָה is a hollow verb (middle root letter is a weak נ), resulting in irregularities in some conjugations. It appears primarily in the Qal binyan, with additional occurrences in Niphal (to be built) and Pual (to be constructed passively).… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּלַע (root: ב-ל-ע) means “to swallow,” “to devour,” “to consume,” or “to destroy.” It often conveys a violent or sudden action, such as an enemy overtaking someone, the earth swallowing the wicked, or time consuming strength. It is frequently found in poetic and prophetic contexts to describe destruction or overwhelming judgment. בָּלַע appears primarily in the Qal binyan and also occurs in Piel (intensive: to utterly consume) and Niphal (passive: to be swallowed). The vivid imagery of this verb contributes to many dramatic scenes in the Hebrew Bible.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּלַט (root: ב-ל-ט) is a relatively rare verb that carries the sense of “moving stealthily,” “acting secretly,” “sneaking away,” or “slipping quietly.” It often appears in poetic or narrative contexts, describing hidden or cautious movement, either physically or emotionally. In most biblical occurrences, בָּלַט functions in the Qal stem, though it is primarily used in participial or adverbial forms (e.g., בַּלָּט, meaning “secretly” or “quietly”). It is less commonly used than other verbs for concealment, but it offers vivid imagery when it does appear.… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בָּכָה (root: ב-כ-ה) means “to weep,” “to cry,” or “to lament.” It is one of the most emotive verbs in the Hebrew Bible and appears frequently in narratives, poetry, and laments to express sorrow, mourning, or intense emotion—whether in personal grief, national tragedy, or divine lament. The verb appears mostly in the Qal and Piel binyanim: – Qal: simple weeping, often spontaneous or uncontrolled. – Piel: intensive or formal weeping (e.g., wailing, prolonged mourning).   Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּכָה Past (Perfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular בָּכִיתִי 2nd person masculine singular בָּכִיתָ 2nd person feminine singular בָּכִית 3rd person masculine singular בָּכָה 3rd person feminine singular בָּכְתָה 1st person plural בָּכִינוּ 2nd person masculine plural בְּכִיתֶם 2nd person feminine plural בְּכִיתֶן 3rd person plural בָּכוּ Present (Participle) Tense Gender/Number Form Masculine singular בּוֹכֶה Feminine singular בּוֹכָה Masculine plural בּוֹכִים Feminine plural בּוֹכוֹת Future (Imperfect) Tense Person Form 1st person singular אֶבְכֶּה 2nd person masculine singular תִּבְכֶּה 2nd person feminine singular תִּבְכִּי 3rd person masculine singular יִבְכֶּה 3rd person feminine singular תִּבְכֶּה 1st person plural נִבְכֶּה 2nd person masculine plural תִּבְכּוּ 2nd person feminine plural תִּבְכֶּינָה 3rd person plural יִבְכּוּ Imperative Mood Person Form 2nd person masculine singular בְּכֵה 2nd person feminine singular בְּכִי 2nd person masculine plural בְּכוּ 2nd person feminine plural בְּכֶינָה   Usage in Scripture Genesis 45:14 – וַיִּפֹּל עַל־צַוְּאַרֵי בִנְיָמִין אָחִיו וַיֵּבְךְּ “He fell on the neck of his brother Binyamin and wept.”… Learn Hebrew

The Hebrew verb בִּין (root: ב-י-ן) is a hollow verb meaning “to understand,” “to discern,” “to consider,” or “to perceive with insight.” It is a central concept in biblical wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, where understanding (בִּינָה) is prized alongside knowledge (דַּעַת) and wisdom (חָכְמָה). It often implies not just comprehension but discernment and the capacity to distinguish between things. בִּין most frequently appears in the Qal and Hiphil stems: – Qal: to have understanding or insight. – Hiphil: to cause to understand, to teach, or to explain.… Learn Hebrew