← H1292 H1294 →

בְּרָכָה

𐤁𐤓𐤊𐤄

Bᵉrâkâh

H1293 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A bestowal of favorable conditions, welfare, or well-being, whether material, social, or spiritual, often seen as a divine or human act conferring such benefit. In concrete settings, can also refer to a physical gift, expression of good will, or to a place (such as a water pool) associated with abundance. Used to describe speech acts invoking or conferring blessing, gifts offered to others, and states of prosperity or flourishing. In rare cases, designates a reservoir or pool, by metaphorical extension from the idea of abundance.

Semantic Range

blessing (bestowal of favor), prosperity, welfare, invocation of blessing, state of being blessed, spoken benediction, gift or present, material benefit, offering, pool (representing abundance or refreshment)

Root / Etymology

From the root 822;רך, meaning 'to kneel,' which is associated metaphorically with the act of blessing, as one might kneel to show respect or to bestow favor. The noun form 827;828b8b81 refers to the actual blessing (gift, benefit, or act of blessing) derived from the act or speech of blessing (root-level meaning) but more commonly indicates the state/result of being blessed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

82878281 appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, used for blessings given by deity (e.g., Yhwh's promises or acts), by patriarchs and leaders to descendants or groups, and also among humans as a gesture of goodwill or honor. In patriarchal and monarchic settings, 'blessing' (berakah) often carried both material and familial implications (e.g., prosperity, numerous descendants, favor in land or livestock). In later periods, it evolves to encompass more spiritualized or formulaic expressions, prominently in Priestly and Wisdom sources. The association with material gifts or presents occurs in diplomatic or ritual contexts. When used of places (e.g., pools), it metaphorically extends the idea of abundance and refreshment. English 'blessing' captures much, but sometimes misses the tangible, performative, or transactional aspects central in ancient Israelite society. The septuagint and later traditions occasionally render 'berakah' in ways associated with prayers, eulogies, or even material gifts, reflecting shifting nuances.

Translation Consistency

primary "blessing" 68 occurrences

Most common and natural rendering across contexts; it captures both the act of bestowing favor and the resultant state or gift (spoken benediction, material gift, prosperity). Frequency data (majority 'blessing' uses) and the SILEX range point to 'blessing' as the clear, broadly applicable base term — rare senses (e.g., pool) are exceptional and can be handled by context-specific wording while keeping 'blessing' as the consistent lemma.

Alternatives (1 occurrence):
"bestowal-of-favor" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָרַךְ; benediction; by implication prosperity; blessing, liberal, pool, present.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

ברך (b-r-k) — to kneel, to bless, to bestow favor

Root 828782 to bless, to kneel, to bestow favor
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1263 בָּרוּךְ blessed one
H1288 בָרַךְ let me bless
H1289 בְּרַךְ to pronounce blessing
H1290 בֶּרֶךְ knee
H1291 בֶּרֶךְ his knees

Word Forms

22 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H1293-01 בְּרָכָֽה berakhah HNcfsa a blessing bestowal of favor a blessing 13
H1293-10 הַ֨/בְּרָכָ֔ה haberakhah HTd/Ncfsa the blessing the bestowal of favor the blessing 10
H1293-19 בְרָכָֽה verakhah HNcfsa a blessing bestowal of favor a blessing 9
H1293-07 בִּרְכֹ֤ת birekhot HNcfpc blessings blessings of blessings of 6
H1293-04 בִּרְכַּ֣ת birekat HNcfsc blessing blessing of blessing of 6
H1293-15 לִ/בְרָכָ֑ה liverakhah HR/Ncfsa into a blessing for a bestowed favor for a blessing 4
H1293-06 בִּרְכָתִ֑/י birekhati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my blessing my blessing my blessing 3
H1293-02 בְּ֝רָכ֗וֹת berakhot HNcfpa blessings bestowals of favor blessings 3
H1293-13 כְּ/בִרְכַּ֨ת kevirekat HR/Ncfsc according to the blessing according to the blessing of according to the blessing of 2
H1293-12 הַֽ/בְרָכָ֨ה haverakhah HTi/Ncfsa the blessing the bestowal of favor the blessing 1

Occurrences in Scripture

69 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H1293-01 Genesis 12:2 בְּרָכָֽה berakhah HNcfsa a blessing bestowal of favor a blessing
H1293-19 Genesis 27:12 בְרָכָֽה verakhah HNcfsa a blessing bestowal of favor a blessing
H1293-05 Genesis 27:35 בִּרְכָתֶֽ/ךָ birekhatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your blessing your blessing your blessing
H1293-06 Genesis 27:36 בִּרְכָתִ֑/י birekhati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my blessing my blessing my blessing
H1293-01 Genesis 27:36 בְּרָכָֽה berakhah HNcfsa a blessing bestowal of favor a blessing
H1293-12 Genesis 27:38 הַֽ/בְרָכָ֨ה haverakhah HTi/Ncfsa the blessing the bestowal of favor the blessing
H1293-10 Genesis 27:41 הַ֨/בְּרָכָ֔ה haberakhah HTd/Ncfsa the blessing the bestowal of favor the blessing
H1293-04 Genesis 28:4 בִּרְכַּ֣ת birekat HNcfsc the blessing blessing of blessing of
H1293-06 Genesis 33:11 בִּרְכָתִ/י֙ birekhati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my blessing my blessing my blessing
H1293-04 Genesis 39:5 בִּרְכַּ֤ת birekat HNcfsc blessing blessing of blessing of
← H1292 Hebrew Lexicon H1294 →