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The Hebrew Verb בָּכָה: To Weep or Cry
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