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בָּחִיר

𐤁𐤇𐤉𐤓

bâchîyr

H972 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root בחר to choose, select, test

Definition

One who is selected or specially chosen, often for a distinct role, status, or relationship. May denote an individual, group, or object designated by a decisive act of choice, usually for service, honor, or a particular purpose. In some contexts, used in parallel with language of being favored or precious.

Semantic Range

chosen one, one specially selected, elect individual or group, select (adjective), precious, prized

Root / Etymology

From the root בחר, which means 'to choose, select, test.' The form בחיר is an adjective or substantive meaning 'chosen one' or 'select.' The ending -יר is a standard adjectival pattern in Hebrew, yielding an agent noun or one characterized by the specified action.

Historical & Contextual Notes

'בָּחִיר' occurs infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, limited largely to poetic or late biblical texts (notably Isaiah). It most often describes an individual or group specifically chosen by YHWH, especially the people Israel or a notable servant, highlighting their distinguished status. Occasionally, it can refer to that which is prized or of high quality. In post-exilic periods and later Second Temple literature, the notion of a 'chosen one' (בחיר) was applied to specific figures or communities, but in the biblical text it strongly connotes divine selection for a particular destiny or role. The term is distinct from mere preference; it implies purpose and distinction. English translations often render the term as 'chosen,' 'elect,' or 'select,' but these can obscure the culturally embedded significance of being uniquely designated for a divinely ordained function. Unlike related terms like נָבִיא (prophet) or מָשִׁיחַ (anointed), בחיר stresses the act of selection itself rather than a title or office. The English term 'elect'—often used in translations—should be understood within this ancient context and not that of later Christian theological development.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּחַר; select; choose, chosen one, elect.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בחר (b-ḥ-r) — choose, select, test

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2984 יִבְחַר He Will Choose
H4004 מִבְחוֹר chosen place
H4005 מִבְחָר in the choicest of
H4006 מִבְחָר choicest of
H970 בָּחוּר chosen young man

Word Forms

9 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H972-02 בְּחִירָֽי/ו bechirayv HAampc/Sp3ms his chosen ones his chosen ones 3
H972-07 בְחִירַ֔/י vechiray HAampc/Sp1cs my-chosen-ones my chosen ones 2
H972-04 בְּחִירִ֖/י bechiri HAamsc/Sp1cs my chosen my chosen one 2
H972-01 בְּחִ֣יר bechir HAamsc chosen chosen one of 1
H972-08 בְחִירִֽ/י vechiri HAamsc/Sp1cs my chosen my chosen one 1
H972-03 בְּחִירֶ֗י/ךָ bechireykha HAampc/Sp2ms Your chosen ones your chosen ones 1
H972-06 לִ/בְחִירִ֑/י livechiri HR/Aamsc/Sp1cs with my chosen to my chosen one 1
H972-05 לִ/בְחִירַ֔/י livechiray HR/Aampc/Sp1cs to my chosen to my chosen ones 1
H972-09 בְחִיר֗/וֹ vechiro HAamsc/Sp3ms his chosen his chosen one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H972-01 2 Samuel 21:6 בְּחִ֣יר bechir HAamsc chosen chosen one of
H972-04 Isaiah 42:1 בְּחִירִ֖/י bechiri HAamsc/Sp1cs my chosen my chosen one
H972-08 Isaiah 43:20 בְחִירִֽ/י vechiri HAamsc/Sp1cs my chosen my chosen one
H972-04 Isaiah 45:4 בְּחִירִ֑/י bechiri HAamsc/Sp1cs my chosen my chosen one
H972-07 Isaiah 65:9 בְחִירַ֔/י vechiray HAampc/Sp1cs My elect my chosen ones
H972-05 Isaiah 65:15 לִ/בְחִירַ֔/י livechiray HR/Aampc/Sp1cs to my chosen to my chosen ones
H972-07 Isaiah 65:22 בְחִירָֽ/י vechiray HAampc/Sp1cs my-chosen-ones my chosen ones
H972-06 Psalms 89:4 לִ/בְחִירִ֑/י livechiri HR/Aamsc/Sp1cs with my chosen to my chosen one
H972-02 Psalms 105:6 בְּחִירָֽי/ו bechirayv HAampc/Sp3ms his chosen ones his chosen ones
H972-02 Psalms 105:43 בְּחִירָֽי/ו bechirayv HAampc/Sp3ms his-chosen-ones his chosen ones
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