בָּקַע
𐤁𐤒𐤏
bâqaʻ
H1234 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To split or break open by force, especially by cleaving, rending, or bursting. The root denotes a forceful separation of a whole, especially in natural or violent contexts. Used of splitting the earth, rocks, water, or human-made objects; sometimes metaphorically of causing a breach or starting an action marked by sudden force.
Semantic Range
to split in two; to breach a wall; to break open earth, rock, or object; to burst forth or through; to break or rip (garment, heavens, waters); to cause something to be violently torn; to force an opening; to create a breach in warfare or natural phenomena
Root / Etymology
From the root ב-ק-ע, which signifies the basic sense of splitting, breaking forth, or ripping open by force. The verb form בָּקַע (bâqaʻ) is the qal stem, with related forms in other stems conveying more intensive or causative nuance (e.g., to cause to split or burst). The root's primary meaning is physical separation by force.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בָּקַע occurs frequently in contexts of miraculous or notable ruptures (e.g., the splitting of the Red Sea, cleaving of rocks for water), as well as in warfare (breaching walls or enemy lines), and the opening or rending of objects (garments, earth, or heavens). In post-exilic usage, the term can imply sudden revelation or divine intervention (e.g., heavens breaking open). The word does not primarily refer to gentle division as חָצָה (chatsah, to divide or halve) might, but rather to a dramatic, often violent act. English translations like "break" or "rend" sometimes obscure the forceful, often miraculous nuance of בָּקַע in its narrative contexts. While poetic texts sometimes metaphorically apply בָּקַע to the actions of God or nature, its literal usage remains rooted in tangible acts of splitting or bursting. Its usage is distinct from verbs denoting 'cutting' (e.g., כרת) or 'dividing' (e.g., חלק), focusing more on the sudden, forceful aspect.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open; make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up), be ready to burst, cleave (asunder), cut out, divide, hatch, rend (asunder), rip up, tear, win.
Bantu Hebrew
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+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בקע (b-q-ʿ) — to split, to cleave, to break open, to burst forth
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1233 | בְּקִיעַ | fissures of |
| H1235 | בֶּקַע | half-shekel portion |
| H1236 | בִּקְעָא | in split-valley of |
| H1237 | בִּקְעָה | in the split valley |
Word Forms
41 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1234-28 |
וַ/תִּבָּקַ֥ע | vatibaqa | HC/VNw3fs |
and the city was broken through | and it was split open | 4 |
H1234-14 |
נִבְקָ֑עוּ | niveqau | HVNp3cp |
were broken up | were split open | 2 |
H1234-03 |
בִּקֵּֽעַ | biqea | HVpp3ms |
he cuts | he split wide open | 2 |
H1234-32 |
וַ/יִּבְקַ֨ע | vayiveqa | HC/Vqw3ms |
and-he-split | and he split open | 2 |
H1234-06 |
בּ֤וֹקֵֽעַ | boqea | HVqrmsa |
dividing | one who splits open | 2 |
H1234-34 |
וַ/יִּבְקְעוּ֩ | vayiveqeu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and broke through | and they split open | 2 |
H1234-17 |
תְּבַקֵּֽעַ | tevaqea | HVpi2ms |
shall rend | you will split open | 2 |
H1234-15 |
נִבְקְעוּ֙ | niveqeu | HVNp3cp |
were burst open | they were split open | 2 |
H1234-21 |
וּ/בָקַעְתָּ֥ | uvaqaeta | HC/Vqq2ms |
and you rent | and you split open | 1 |
H1234-07 |
הָבְקְעָ֖ה | haveqeah | HVHp3fs |
was breached | was caused to be split open | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
51 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1234-15 |
Genesis 7:11 | נִבְקְעוּ֙ | niveqeu | HVNp3cp |
were burst open | they were split open |
H1234-29 |
Genesis 22:3 | וַ/יְבַקַּע֙ | vayevaqa | HC/Vpw3ms |
split | he split open forcefully |
H1234-23 |
Exodus 14:16 | וּ/בְקָעֵ֑/הוּ | uveqaehu | HC/Vqv2ms/Sp3ms |
and divide it | and split it open |
H1234-31 |
Exodus 14:21 | וַ/יִּבָּקְע֖וּ | vayibaqeu | HC/VNw3mp |
and were divided | and they were split open |
H1234-28 |
Numbers 16:31 | וַ/תִּבָּקַ֥ע | vatibaqa | HC/VNw3fs |
split open | and it was split open |
H1234-20 |
Joshua 9:4 | וּ/מְבֻקָּעִ֖ים | umevuqaim | HC/VPsmpa |
and torn | forcibly split-open ones |
H1234-08 |
Joshua 9:13 | הִתְבַּקָּ֑עוּ | hitebaqau | HVtp3cp |
they have burst | they split themselves open |
H1234-32 |
Judges 15:19 | וַ/יִּבְקַ֨ע | vayiveqa | HC/Vqw3ms |
and split | and he split open |
H1234-30 |
1 Samuel 6:14 | וַֽ/יְבַקְּעוּ֙ | vayevaqeu | HC/Vpw3mp |
and-they-split | and they forcefully split open |
H1234-34 |
2 Samuel 23:16 | וַ/יִּבְקְעוּ֩ | vayiveqeu | HC/Vqw3mp |
and broke through | and they split open |