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בָּחַר

𐤁𐤇𐤓

bâchar

H977 verb

SILEX Entry

Root בחר to choose, select, prefer

Definition

To choose, select, or prefer. Used to denote the act of choosing or selecting something or someone, often with the implication of preference or approval. In certain contexts, carries the nuance of choosing for a special function, purpose, or relationship, particularly in reference to individuals, groups, locations, or objects. May imply both human and divine choosing.

Semantic Range

to choose, to select, to prefer, to appoint, to be selected, to be preferred, to choose for a specific purpose, to elect, to show preference, to designate, to single out

Root / Etymology

From the root בחר (b-ḥ-r), meaning 'to choose, select, prefer.' The verb בָּחַר arises directly from this root and consistently reflects the action of choosing or preferring. The etymology is clear and ties the meaning directly to the experiential act of selection or preference, whether by humans or by the divine.

Historical & Contextual Notes

בָּחַר is widely used across the Hebrew Bible to describe both ordinary human acts of choosing (e.g., selecting a course of action, a king, or a location) and the distinctive act of divine selection (e.g., YHWH choosing Israel, certain individuals such as David, or specific places like Jerusalem). Divine choosing often conveys a covenantal or functional relationship (Deut 7:6; 1 Sam 16:8-10), and highlights exclusivity, purpose, or favor without requiring intrinsic merit. The term is frequently used with objects (e.g., stones, warriors), with people (especially leaders), and abstractly (e.g., to prefer wisdom or justice). Uses vary from direct, practical choices to more theologically loaded or ideological affirmations of identity and belonging. In exilic and post-exilic texts, בחר plays a key role in articulating Israelite self-understanding in the context of restoration and continuity (Isa 41:8-9; Isa 44:1-2). English translations such as 'choose,' 'elect,' or 'prefer' often capture the main sense, but the depth of covenantal or relational nuance—especially in divine choosing—may be underappreciated. This word should not be confused with other roots for 'choose' or 'separate' (such as גָּרַל for casting lots). The fuller scope goes beyond mere selection, sometimes connoting affirmation, value, or unique purpose.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

בחר (b-ḥ-r) — to choose, select, prefer

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

37 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H977-36 יִבְחַר yivechar HVqi3ms chooses he chooses 32
H977-01 בָּחַ֣ר bachar HVqp3ms has chosen he chose 18
H977-30 וַ/יִּבְחַר vayivechar HC/Vqw3ms and he chose and he chose 14
H977-06 בָּח֔וּר bachur HVqsmsa chosen chosen one 14
H977-03 בָּחָֽרְתִּי bachareti HVqp1cs I have chosen I chose 13
H977-02 בָּחָ֑רְתָּ bachareta HVqp2ms you have chosen you chose 7
H977-25 בָחַ֣רְתִּי vachareti HVqp1cs I have chosen I chose 7
H977-08 בְּחַרְתֶּ֥ם becharetem HVqp2mp you have chosen you chose 6
H977-16 נִבְחָֽר nivechar HVNrmsa choice the chosen one 6
H977-24 בָחַ֥ר vachar HVqp3ms has chosen he chose 5

Occurrences in Scripture

170 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H977-04 Genesis 6:2 בָּחָֽרוּ bacharu HVqp3cp they chose they chose
H977-30 Genesis 13:11 וַ/יִּבְחַר vayivechar HC/Vqw3ms and chose and he chose
H977-06 Exodus 14:7 בָּח֔וּר bachur HVqsmsa chosen chosen one
H977-07 Exodus 17:9 בְּחַר bechar HVqv2ms Choose choose
H977-30 Exodus 18:25 וַ/יִּבְחַ֨ר vayivechar HC/Vqw3ms and chose and he chose
H977-36 Numbers 16:5 יִבְחַר yivechar HVqi3ms he chooses he chooses
H977-36 Numbers 16:7 יִבְחַ֥ר yivechar HVqi3ms chooses he chooses
H977-12 Numbers 17:20 אֶבְחַר evechar HVqi1cs I choose I choose
H977-30 Deuteronomy 4:37 וַ/יִּבְחַ֥ר vayivechar HC/Vqw3ms and he chose and he chose
H977-01 Deuteronomy 7:6 בָּחַ֣ר bachar HVqp3ms has chosen he chose
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