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.” - Exodus 2:6 – וְהִנֵּה נַעַר בֹּכֶה
“Behold, the baby was crying.” - Jeremiah 9:17 – וְקִרְאוּ לַמְקוֹנְנוֹת וְתָבֹאנָה וְאֶל־הֲכָמוֹת תִּשְׁלָחוּ וּתָבֹאנָה
“Call for the mourning women, that they may come…” — introducing formal weeping in ritual mourning.
Summary
The verb בָּכָה expresses profound human emotion. From the grief of bereavement to national mourning, and from the cries of infants to prophetic lamentation, it marks the reality of sorrow in a fallen world. Whether in Qal or Piel, this verb captures moments of pain, empathy, and divine compassion across the Hebrew Bible.
