בָּחַר
bâchar · H977 · Hebrew · 171 occurrences
Meanings
-
to choose, to prefer
Action by which someone makes a selection among several options, which include humans, divine beings, animals, other objects, or events
ExamplesGenesis 6:2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
Genesis 13:11 So Lot chose for himself all the vicinity of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. So they separated from each other.
Exodus 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”
-
choice, picked, to be preferred
State in which an object has been selected for its superior quality
ExamplesExodus 14:7 and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.
Proverbs 8:10 “Accept my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:19 “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold; And my yield better than choice silver.
-
to be preferred
State in which an event is considered superior in quality to other events
ExamplesProverbs 21:3 To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by the LORD more than sacrifice.
Proverbs 22:1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; Favor is better than silver and gold.
-
warrior, soldier
Person selected from among the young men of a tribe or nation to join the army
ExamplesJudges 20:15 From the cities on that day the sons of Benjamin were counted, twenty-six thousand men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah who were counted, seven hundred choice men.
Judges 20:16 Out of all these people seven hundred choice men were left-handed; each one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.
Judges 20:34 When ten thousand choice men from all Israel came against Gibeah, the battle became fierce; but Benjamin did not know that disaster was close to them.
-
to test, to examine
Action by which someone evaluates the dependability and/or reliability of someone else as an assayer examines ore or metal
ExamplesJob 34:4 “Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us understand among ourselves what is good.
Job 36:21 “Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you preferred this to misery.
Isaiah 48:10 “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
How it’s used In 12 roles
Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.
the word studied the word it goes with
Who or what does itSubject
151 occurrences in 27 groups
- יְהֹוָהthe LORD, YHWH 37
- Not stated: I 33
- Not stated: he, she or it 28
- Not stated: you (one person) 15
- Not stated: you (more than one) 7
- Not stated: they 5
- Other words · 18 groups that occur once or twice (18) 18
What it acts on, or what is saidObject
36 occurrences in 24 groups
- אִישׁman, person, each 4
- ךָּyou 4
- וֹhim 4
- Other words · 21 groups that occur once or twice (24) 24
Second objectAs in “call him Lord”
1 occurrences in 1 groups
- תְּרוּמָהcontribution, offering 1
With prepositionsPrepositional phrases
109 occurrences in 65 groups
- בin/on/with+ וֹhim 15
- מִןfrom+ שֵׁבֶטtribe, rod 10
- לto/for+ הָיָהto be, to become 8
- לto/for+ שָׁכַןto dwell, to settle 8
- לto/for+ שׂוּםto put, to set, to place 6
- מִןfrom+ יִשְׂרָאֵלIsrael 4
- Other words · 45 groups that occur once or twice (55) 55
With adverbsAdverbs
12 occurrences in 3 groups
- לֹאnot 8
- עוֹדstill, again, yet 3
- אַלnot, do not 1
Whose, or of whatGenitive or possessive
2 occurrences in 1 groups
- יִשְׂרָאֵלIsrael 2
Words describing itAdjectives, demonstratives, participles
4 occurrences in 3 groups
- מֵאָהhundred 2
- שָׁלוֹשׁthree 1
- שְׁלוֹשִׁיםthirty 1
Named alongside itApposition
5 occurrences in 7 groups
- בַּיִתhouse, household 2
- עָשָׂהto do, to make 2
- אָחַזto seize, to hold 1
- יְהֹוָהthe LORD, YHWH 1
- יָצָאto go out 1
- אִישׁman, person, each 1
What is done to itIt is the object
8 occurrences in 6 groups
- יָדַעto know 3
- מָצָאto find 1
- אָסַףto gather, to assemble 1
- קָרַבto come near, to offer 1
- רָאָהto see 1
- רוּםto be high, to raise, to lift up 1
What it is said to bePredicate
2 occurrences in 2 groups
- אֶשֶׁרhappy 1
- תּוֹעֵבַהabomination, detestable thing 1
What is said to be itIt is the predicate
4 occurrences in 3 groups
- מִיwho? 2
- קָנָהto buy, to acquire 1
- הֶםthem 1
After prepositionsPrepositional phrases
2 occurrences in 1 groups
- מִןfrom 4
When two words share a role, as in “Paul and Barnabas said”, the verse appears under each, so a section’s counts can add up to more than the number of occurrences.
MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
In the other Testament 3 words
- ἐκλέγομαι eklégomai · G1586 · to choose, to select, to prefer
- Greek ἐκλέγομαι (eklégomai, G1586) corresponds to Hebrew בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) as the standard LXX rendering for divine or human acts of selection/election, maintaining the semantic range of choosing, appointing, or selecting with deliberation.
- αἱρετίζω hairetízō · G140 · to choose, to select
- Greek αἱρετίζω specifically denotes the act of making a choice, directly corresponding to the Hebrew בָּחַר's core sense of choosing or selecting.
- ἐκλεκτός eklektós · G1588 · chosen
- Greek ἐκλεκτός (eklektós, G1588) denotes the state or quality of being chosen/selected, typically as an adjective or substantive ('the elect'), while Hebrew בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) denotes the action of choosing/selecting itself as a verb; the two represent the same semantic domain from complementary grammatical perspectives (act versus result/status).
Semantic domains 5 entries
- Willing002001002028
- The verb's core sense is to choose or select according to one's will, as Lot 'chose for himself' the Jordan valley in Genesis 13:11, fitting this domain's sense of willing choice.
- Good002001001031
- What is chosen is typically regarded as preferable or good, as the sons of God choose wives 'whomever they' find beautiful in Genesis 6:2, connecting the verb to this domain's sense of goodness or desirability.
- Well002001003018
- The choosing often reflects a judgment of what serves best or most favorably, an evaluative sense tied to this domain's category of things done or chosen well.
- Soldiers001001003013
- The verb is used specifically of selecting military personnel or equipment, as Pharaoh takes 'six hundred select chariots' in Exodus 14:7, fitting this domain's category for military selection.
- Know002004002007
- Choosing well presupposes discerning knowledge of the options being weighed, connecting the verb to this domain's sense of informed understanding.
Word family 6 words
Words formed from the same root. They share a form, not always a meaning.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H977. bachar בָּחַר verb choose (compare Aramaic בְּחַר, Syriac || בחן, Assyrian bêru (√…
בָּחַר verb choose (compare Aramaic בְּחַר, Syriac || בחן, Assyrian bêru (√ באר):3 DlPr 76) —
Qal Perfect בָּחַר Deu 7:6 66t.; יִבְחַר Isa 41:24 60t.; אֶבֲחַר Job 29:25 (Baer); Imperative בְּחַר Exo 17:9 Exo 17:5t.; Infinitive absolute בָּחוֺר 1Sa 2:28; Isa 7:15-16, Infinitive construct suffix בָּחֳרִי Eze 20:5; Participle בֹּחֵר 1Sa 20:30; Zec 3:2; passive בָּחוּר Exo 14:7 Exo 14:18t.; —
1 with בְּ
a. divine choice, of Abraham Neh 9:7; Israel Deu 7:7; Isa 44:1; Eze 20:5; to become his people Deu 7:6; Deu 14:2; Jeshurun Isa 44:2; the seed of the patriarchs Deu 4:37; Deu 10:15; Levites Deu 18:5; Deu 21:5; 1Ch 15:2; 2Ch 29:11; Aaron Psa 105:26; Judah 1Ch 28:4 not Ephraim Psa 78:67; Levi and Judah Jer 33:24; the king Deu 17:15, especially David 1Sa 10:24; 1Sa 16:8-9, 1Sa 16:10; 2Sa 6:21; 1Ki 8:16 (= 2Ch 6:6) 1Ch 28:4-5, 1Ch 29:1; 2Ch 6:5; Psa 78:70; others Num 16:5; Numbers 17:20 (P) Hag 2:23; place of sacrifice Deu 12:18; Deu 14:25; Deu 16:7, Deu 16:15; Deu 17:8; 2Ch 7:12; the city 1Ki 8:16, 1Ki 8:44 (= 2Ch 6:5, 2Ch 6:34) 1Ki 11:32; Jerusalem 2Ch 6:6; Isa 14:1; Zec 1:17; Zechariah 2:16; Zec 3:2; Zion Psa 132:13; delusions Isa 66:4.
b. man's choice, of ways Pro 3:31; Isa 66:3; good things Isa 7:15-16, life Deu 30:19; gods Jdg 10:14; Isa 41:24; God's pleasure Isa 56:4; Isa 65:12; Isa 66:4.
2 with אֲשֶׁר (alone, for ב בחר ׳אשׁר):
a. divine choice, Israel Isa 41:8 בְּחַרְתִּיךָ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲקֹב, Isa 43:10; the people 1Ki 3:8; Psa 33:12; men Num 16:7 (P) Psa 65:5; king 2Sa 16:18; 1Ki 11:34; place of sacrifice Deu 12:14, Deu 12:26; Deu 15:20; Deu 17:10; Deu 31:11 (D) Jos 9:27 (P), especially שָׁם שְׁמוֺ לָשׂוּם Deu 12:5, Deu 12:21; Deu 14:24, שָׁם שְׁמוֺ לְשַׁכֵּן Deu 12:11; Deu 14:23; Deu 16:2, Deu 16:6, Deu 16:11; Neh 1:9; the city 1Ki 8:48 (= 2Ch 6:38), שׁם שׁמי לשׂום 1Ki 11:36; 1Ki 14:21 (= 2Ch 12:13); Jerusalem 1Ki 11:13; 2Ki 21:7 (= 2Ch 33:7) 2Ki 23:27; fast Isa 58:5-6, way Psa 25:12.
b. man's choice, place to dwell in Deu 23:7; gardens Isa 1:29; king 1Sa 12:13; wives Gen 6:2 (J); what to do 2Sa 15:15.
3 with accusative & לְ, choose some one or something for:
a. divine choice, of Levi 1Sa 2:28; Jacob Psa 135:4; Psa 135:5; inheritance Psa 47:5.
b. human choice persons Exo 17:9; Jos 24:15, Jos 24:22 (E) 1Sa 8:18; 1Sa 13:12; 2Sa 24:12 (= 1Ch 21:20); things Gen 13:11 (J) 1Sa 17:40; 1Ki 18:23, 1Ki 18:25; Job 34:4.
4 with accusative and מִן, choose, select from 2Sa 10:9 (= 1Ch 19:10).
5 accusative
a. divine choice, temple 2Ch 7:16; Judah Psa 78:68; servant Isa 41:9; Isa 49:7.
b. man's choice, persons Exodus 18:28 (E) Jdg 5:8; Jos 8:3 (J) 2Sa 17:1; things Job 7:15; Job 9:14; Job 15:5; Job 29:25; Job 34:33; Psa 119:30; Psa 119:173; Pro 1:29; Isa 40:20.
6 with מעני בחרת זה על כי עַל, for this thou hast chosen rather than affliction Job 36:21; with accusative and על pregnantly עלי תבחר אשׁר כל all that thou choosest (to lay) upon me 2Sa 19:39.
7 with לְ of accusative 1Sa 20:30 (many MSS. have בְּ; but ᵐ5 We Dr read חָבֵר companion). The participle בָּחוּר chosen, of a ruler Psa 89:20, warrior Jer 49:19 (= Jer 50:44); as cedars Son 5:15; collective בחור רכב chosen chariots Exo 14:7 (E); בחור אישׁ chosen men, warriors Jdg 20:15-16, Jdg 20:34; 1Sa 24:3; 2Ch 13:3, 2Ch 13:17, for which בָּחוּר alone 1Ki 12:21 2Ch 11:1; 2Ch 25:5; ישׂראל בחורי 1Sa 26:2; Psa 78:31; 2Sa 10:9 בישׂראל בחורי (|| 1Ch 19:10 בישׂראל בחור, doubtless the true reading, as 2Sa 6:1).
8 test, try (Aramaic = בחן) עֹ֑נִי בְּכוּר בְּחַרְתִּיךָ Isa 48:10 I have tested thee in the furnace of affliction ᵑ7 ᵑ6 Ges Hi Ew De Che Dr, but chosen ᵑ9 Rab Calv AV. Niph`al נִבְחַר Jer 8:3; Participle נִבְחָר Pro 8:10 Pro 8:5t.; — to be chosen.
a. absolute chosen, choice Pro 8:10, Pro 8:19; Pro 10:20.
b. construct מחיים מות וְנִבְחַר מִן, death will be chosen rather than life Jer 8:3; choicer than Pro 16:16; Pro 22:1; מזבח ליהוה נבחר choicer (more acceptable) to Yahweh than peace-offering Pro 21:3.
Pu`al יְבֻחַר chosen, selected Ecc 9:4 (יְחֻבַּר Qr).
Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain
Topical studies with this word 5 entries
Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.
Sources
eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0
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