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The Hebrew Verb בָּצַע: To Cut Off, Break Open, or Gain Unjustly
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
Posted in Vocabulary
Tagged בצע
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