The Hebrew verb בָּדַק (root: ב-ד-ק) means “to examine,” “to inspect,” “to test,” or “to investigate.” It appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, especially in contexts involving the inspection of persons (e.g., for disease), objects, and buildings, particularly within priestly or ritual contexts.
Most often it occurs in the Qal binyan, where it denotes the simple action of examining or checking. Occasionally, it appears in the Pual or Hophal stems in passive constructions.
Qal Binyan Conjugation of בָּדַק
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | בָּדַקְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | בָּדַקְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | בָּדַקְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | בָּדַק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | בָּדְקָה |
| 1st person plural | בָּדַקְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | בְּדַקְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | בְּדַקְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | בָּדְקוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | בֹּדֵק |
| Feminine singular | בֹּדֶקֶת |
| Masculine plural | בּוֹדְקִים |
| Feminine plural | בּוֹדְקוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶבְדֹּק |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּבְדֹּק |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּבְדְּקִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִבְדֹּק |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּבְדֹּק |
| 1st person plural | נִבְדֹּק |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּבְדְּקוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּבְדֹּקְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִבְדְּקוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | בְּדֹק |
| 2nd person feminine singular | בִּדְקִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | בִּדְקוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | בְּדֹקְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Leviticus 13:3 – וְרָאָה אֹתוֹ הַכֹּהֵן וְרָאָה הַכֹּהֵן אֶת־הַנֶּגַע בְּעוֹר הַבָּשָׂר
“The priest shall examine the sore…” – describing a ritual inspection for skin disease. - 2 Kings 12:7 – לָמָּה לֹא בִּדַּקְתֶּם אֶת־הַבַּיִת
“Why have you not repaired the house?” – here, בָּדַק refers to examining or repairing the temple.
Summary
The verb בָּדַק is essential in biblical texts involving priestly inspection, ritual purity, and structural evaluation. It illustrates the importance of observation, testing, and discernment in the biblical worldview. Mastering its conjugation enhances comprehension of priestly and narrative texts alike.
