Hebrew · H1245, G2212 · unreviewed

בָּקַשׁ

To search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after · to seek

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

בָּקַשׁ H1245 to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

Pronunciation bāqash

To seek God through worship and prayer; also means to strive after or desire something earnestly.

Open lexicon entry →

ζητέω G2212 to seek

Pronunciation zētéō

To seek actively and intentionally, often implying desire, striving, or demanding rather than passive searching.

Open lexicon entry →

What does בָּקַשׁ (baqash) mean in the Bible?

בָּקַשׁ · ζητέω is a Hebrew word meaning "to pursue or strive for something".

Full entry for בָּקַשׁ (H1245, G2212) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to pursue or strive for something

Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 122×

Participle active 1Chr 16:10 · 1Kgs 10:24 · 1Kgs 11:22 · 1Kgs 20:7 · 1Sam 19:2 · 1Sam 20:1 · 1Sam 23:10 · 1Sam 24:10 · 2Chr 9:23 · 2Sam 3:17 · 2Sam 16:11 · 2Sam 17:3 · 2Sam 20:19 · Exod 10:11 · Exod 33:7 · Ezek 34:6 50×

Imperfect 1Chr 21:3 · 1Sam 22:23 · Eccl 3:15 · Isa 40:20 · Josh 22:23 · Prov 11:27 · Prov 15:14 · Prov 17:11 · Prov 18:1 · Zech 11:16 · 2Sam 4:11 · Ezek 3:18 · Ezek 3:20 · Ezek 33:8 · Ezek 34:16 · Nah 3:7 35×

Perfect Eccl 7:29 · Esth 6:2 · Ezra 2:62 · Lam 1:19 · Neh 7:64 · Neh 12:27 · Ps 54:5 · Ps 86:14 · Zeph 1:6 · 1Sam 13:14 · 1Sam 14:4 · 2Sam 4:8 · Dan 1:20 · Deut 13:11 · Eccl 12:10 · Isa 1:12 22×

Sequential imperfect 1Chr 16:11 · 1Sam 28:7 · Ps 27:8 · Ps 105:4 · Zeph 2:3 · 1Sam 9:3 · Ps 34:15 · Ps 119:176 10×

Jussive Esth 2:2 · Jer 45:5 · Lev 19:31 3×

Cohortative Ps 122:9 · Song 3:2 2×

Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 1×

Imperfect Jer 50:20 1×

Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 123 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form

Participle 50 Imperfect 39 Perfect 22 Imperative 10 Cohortative 2

Stem

Piel 122 Pual 1

Mood

Indicative/jussive 25 Indicative 22 Indicative/cohortative 11 Imperative 10 Jussive 3

OT Occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

1 Corinthians 10 — Learn from Israel, Flee Idolatry, and Seek the Good of Others for God’s Glory 1 Corinthians 13 — The More Excellent Way of Love Acts 17 — The Gospel Reasoned from Scripture and Proclaimed to the Nations Colossians 3 — Raised with Christ: Putting Off the Old Life and Putting On the New John 18 — The Arrested King: Betrayal, Sovereign Surrender, Denial, Trial, and the Kingdom Not of This World John 20 — The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel John 7 — The Feast, the Divided Crowd, and the Living Water of Jesus Luke 11 — Prayer, Kingdom Conflict, True Hearing, and the Exposure of Hypocrisy Luke 12 — Fear God, Confess Christ, Seek the Kingdom, and Be Ready Luke 19 — The Son of Man Seeks the Lost, Receives the Kingly Kingdom, and Weeps over Jerusalem Matthew 18 — Kingdom Humility, Care for the Little Ones, Discipline, and Forgiveness in Christ’s Community Matthew 6 — Hidden Righteousness, the Father’s Reward, and Seeking First the Kingdom Matthew 7 — Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details