בּוּךְ
𐤁𐤅𐤊
bûwk
H943 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To become entangled or wrapped up, both in a literal sense (being physically ensnared or bound) and a figurative sense (experiencing confusion, perplexity, or becoming involved in difficulty). The verb marks the state or process of being enmeshed, whether by vines, cords, or circumstances impacting mental or social clarity.
Semantic Range
to be ensnared or entangled (physically), to be involved or caught (in a situation), to be perplexed or confused (mentally or emotionally)
Root / Etymology
The root appears to be בּוּךְ (bûk), with the meanings 'to entangle, to become wrapped up, to be perplexed.' The precise etymology is uncertain, as the verb is relatively rare and lacks clear cognates in other Semitic languages. It may be related to the imagery of something being wrapped, bound, or caught.
Historical & Contextual Notes
בּוּךְ is rare in the Hebrew Bible, attested primarily in poetic and prophetic literature (e.g., Nahum 1:10, where it refers to adversaries being 'entangled' as with thorns). The term encapsulates both a concrete and metaphorical sense: physical ensnarement and experiential perplexity. In later periods and translation traditions, its meaning is often rendered as 'to be perplexed' or 'confused,' but the original Hebrew sense likely emphasizes entanglement and caught-ness. The word is distinct from other Hebrew terms for confusion or shame (such as בּוּשׁ 'to be ashamed' or תָּעָה 'to wander, err'), as it emphasizes being ensnared rather than feeling disgrace or being lost. Because of its infrequent use, English translations sometimes diverge on its interpretation, but the central imagery remains consistent: being enmeshed, whether literally or figuratively. No clear evidence exists for significant semantic shift between early and late biblical periods due to the rarity of the term.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to involve (literally or figuratively); be entangled, (perplexed).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
בוך (b-w-k) — to entangle, to be ensnared, to be perplexed
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3998 | מְבוּכָה | their bewilderment |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H943-02 |
נָבֹ֨כוּ֙ | navokhu | HVNp3cp |
wander | they were entangled | 1 |
H943-01 |
נָבֽוֹכָה | navokhah | HVNp3fs |
was bewildered | she was entangled | 1 |
H943-03 |
נְבֻכִ֥ים | nevukhim | HVNrmpa |
wandering aimlessly | entangled ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H943-03 |
Exodus 14:3 | נְבֻכִ֥ים | nevukhim | HVNrmpa |
wandering aimlessly | entangled ones |
H943-02 |
Joel 1:18 | נָבֹ֨כוּ֙ | navokhu | HVNp3cp |
wander | they were entangled |
H943-01 |
Esther 3:15 | נָבֽוֹכָה | navokhah | HVNp3fs |
was bewildered | she was entangled |