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בּוּז

𐤁𐤅𐤆

bûwz

H937 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A strong feeling or expression of contempt, disdain, or scorn; the act or state of regarding someone or something as worthless or inferior. Used both for the emotion of contempt and its concrete manifestation through public derision or insult.

Semantic Range

contempt, scorn, derision, public shaming, being regarded as worthless, despised state, insult, disdain

Root / Etymology

From the root בוז (ב-ו-ז), which means 'to despise, to hold in contempt.' The noun בּוּז is a nominal form indicating the abstract quality or state of contempt or the act of expressing disdain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, בּוּז refers to open contempt or derision, frequently directed toward persons, peoples, or things that are seen as unworthy or despicable. The term connotes a harsh, public rejection, unlike words for personal dislike or anger (such as שנא, 'to hate'). In prophetic writings, בּוּז often characterizes the negative attitudes of nations towards Israel or, conversely, the contempt experienced by those cast down by Israel’s God. Sometimes it appears in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs) to describe the attitude of scoffers towards instruction. The noun is relatively rare outside the Hebrew Bible but is part of a cluster of terms denoting shame, scorn, and disgrace (cf. קלון 'disgrace', חרפה 'reproach'). Later translations (including KJV) render the term 'contempt,' 'despised,' or 'scorn,' but in some English versions, nuances are lost when merged with general ideas of shame or dishonor. No substantive change in meaning is discernible between earlier (monarchic) and later (exilic, post-exilic) texts.

Translation Consistency

primary "contempt" 11 occurrences

'Contempt' is the most natural, commonly used English noun that captures both the emotion and its outward expression (scorn, derision, public shaming). It matches the SILEX range and the existing P2 renderings (11×) and will give a consistent, easily understood rendering across all occurrences.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בּוּז; disrespect; contempt(-uously), despised, shamed.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

בוז (b-w-z) — to despise, to hold in contempt

Root בוז to despise, to hold in contempt
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H936 בּוּז they despised
H938 בּוּז Buz
H940 בּוּזִי the Buz-descendant
H941 בּוּזִי My Contempt

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H937-01 בּ֭וּז buz HNcmsa contempt contempt contempt 4
H937-05 וָ/בֽוּז vavuz HC/Ncmsa and contempt contempt and contempt 2
H937-03 לָ/ב֑וּז lavuz HR/Ncmsa a laughingstock for contempt for contempt 2
H937-04 וּ/בוּז uvuz HC/Ncmsc and-contempt and contempt of and contempt of 1
H937-06 בֽוּז vuz HNcmsa with contempt contempt contempt 1
H937-02 הַ֝/בּ֗וּז habuz HTd/Ncmsa the contempt the contempt the contempt 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H937-03 Genesis 38:23 לָ/ב֑וּז lavuz HR/Ncmsa a laughingstock for contempt for contempt
H937-05 Psalms 31:19 וָ/בֽוּז vavuz HC/Ncmsa and contempt contempt and contempt
H937-01 Psalms 107:40 בּ֭וּז buz HNcmsa contempt contempt contempt
H937-05 Psalms 119:22 וָ/ב֑וּז vavuz HC/Ncmsa and contempt contempt and contempt
H937-06 Psalms 123:3 בֽוּז vuz HNcmsa with contempt contempt contempt
H937-02 Psalms 123:4 הַ֝/בּ֗וּז habuz HTd/Ncmsa the contempt the contempt the contempt
H937-03 Proverbs 12:8 לָ/בֽוּז lavuz HR/Ncmsa despised for contempt for contempt
H937-01 Proverbs 18:3 בּ֑וּז buz HNcmsa contempt contempt contempt
H937-01 Job 12:5 בּ֭וּז buz HNcmsa contempt contempt contempt
H937-01 Job 12:21 בּ֭וּז buz HNcmsa contempt contempt contempt
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