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?” — Judah using the word for material gain. - Proverbs 1:19 – כֵּן אֹרְחוֹת כָּל־בֹּצֵעַ בָּצַע
“So are the ways of everyone greedy for unjust gain.” - Micah 3:11 – כֹּהֲנֶיהָ יוֹרוּ בִבְצַע
“Its priests teach for pay (unjust gain).”
Summary
The verb בָּצַע begins with a literal sense of cutting or dividing, but its dominant biblical usage concerns greed and unjust gain. It conveys corruption, materialism, and exploitation—especially among leaders. As such, it plays a significant role in prophetic condemnations of social injustice, and its presence highlights ethical warnings against selfish ambition in both individuals and institutions.
