What does בָּקַשׁ · תֹּהוּ mean in the Bible?
בָּקַשׁ · תֹּהוּ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "seek me in emptiness/vain".
Hebrew · H1245, H8414
בַּקְּשׁוּנִי תֹהוּ
To search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after · a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert ; figuratively, a worthless thing ; adverbially, in vain
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
בָּקַשׁH1245to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
Pronunciationbāqash
To seek God through worship and prayer; also means to strive after or desire something earnestly.
Open lexicon entry →תֹּהוּH8414a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert ; figuratively, a worthless thing ; adverbially, in vain
Pronunciationtōhû
Primordial chaos and emptiness; moves from cosmic formlessness to moral/spiritual worthlessness and futility.
Open lexicon entry →What does בַּקְּשׁוּנִי תֹהוּ (baqqeshuni tohu) mean in the Bible?
בָּקַשׁ · תֹּהוּ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "seek me in emptiness/vain".
Full entry for בַּקְּשׁוּנִי תֹהוּ (H1245, H8414) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H1245, H8414?
H1245, H8414 is connected to 245 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. seek me in emptiness/vain
Source Gloss
seek me in emptiness/vain
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms123
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action122×
Participle active1Chr 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 34:650×
Imperfect1Chr 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 3:735×
PerfectEccl 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 1:1222×
Sequential imperfect1Chr 16:11 · 1Sam 28:7 · Ps 27:8 · Ps 105:4 · Zeph 2:3 · 1Sam 9:3 · Ps 34:15 · Ps 119:17610×
JussiveEsth 2:2 · Jer 45:5 · Lev 19:313×
CohortativePs 122:9 · Song 3:22×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject1×
ImperfectJer 50:201×
Word Origins
בַּקְּשׁוּנִי תֹהוּ is a primitive root - no further derivation.