What does בָּאַשׁ mean in the Bible?
בָּאַשׁ is a Hebrew word meaning "to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally".
Hebrew · H887
בָּאַשׁ
To smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
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בָּאַשׁH887
What does בָּאַשׁ mean in the Bible?
בָּאַשׁ is a Hebrew word meaning "to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally".
Full entry for בָּאַשׁ (H887) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H887?
The BSB source-word alignment has 18 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include they had become a stench (2), . . . (1), a stench (1), and began to smell (1), and there was a terrible stench (1).
Where does בָּאַשׁ appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 34:30. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (6), 1 Samuel (3), 2 Samuel (2), Isaiah (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itthey had become a stench2×2 Samuel 10:6, 1 Chronicles 19:6
. . .1×1 Samuel 27:12
a stench1×Ecclesiastes 10:1
and began to smell1×Exodus 16:20
and there was a terrible stench1×Exodus 8:14
are foul1×Psalms 38:5
bring shame1×Proverbs 13:5
by making me a stench1×Genesis 34:30
has become a stench1×1 Samuel 13:4
rot1×Isaiah 50:2
Since he has made himself an utter stench1×1 Samuel 27:12
smell1×Exodus 16:24
smelled so bad1×Exodus 7:21
will be put to shame1×Isaiah 30:5
will stink1×Exodus 7:18
you have become a stench1×2 Samuel 16:21
you have made us a stench1×Exodus 5:21
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 34:30לְהַבְאִישֵׁ֙נִי֙toby making me a stenchPreposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common singularExodus 5:21הִבְאַשְׁתֶּ֣םtoyou have made us a stenchVerb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine pluralExodus 7:18וּבָאַ֣שׁtowill stinkConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singularExodus 7:21וַיִּבְאַ֣שׁtosmelled so badConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularExodus 8:14וַתִּבְאַ֖שׁtoand there was a terrible stenchConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularExodus 16:20וַיִּבְאַ֑שׁtoand began to smellConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularExodus 16:24הִבְאִ֔ישׁtosmellVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 13:4נִבְאַשׁtohas become a stenchVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 27:12הַבְאֵ֤שׁtoSince he has made himself an utter stenchVerb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute1 Samuel 27:12הִבְאִישׁ֙to. . .Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 34:30
Aligned rows18
Books represented9
Genesis1Exodus61 Samuel32 Samuel21 Chronicles1Psalms1Proverbs1Ecclesiastes1Isaiah2
Source forms
יַבְאִ֥ישׁ2xyaḇ·’îšProverbs 13:5, Ecclesiastes 10:1
הִבְאִ֔ישׁ1xhiḇ·’îšExodus 16:24
הִבְאִישׁ֙1xhiḇ·’îš1 Samuel 27:12
הִבְאִישׁ1xhiḇ·ʾīšIsaiah 30:5
הִבְאִ֣ישׁוּ1xhiḇ·’î·šūPsalms 38:5
הַבְאֵ֤שׁ1xhaḇ·’êš1 Samuel 27:12
הִבְאַשְׁתֶּ֣ם1xhiḇ·’aš·temExodus 5:21
הִֽתְבָּאֲשׁ֖וּ1xhiṯ·bā·’ă·šū1 Chronicles 19:6
Parsing patterns
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular3xExodus 16:24, 1 Samuel 27:12, Isaiah 30:5
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2xExodus 7:21, Exodus 16:20
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular2xProverbs 13:5, Ecclesiastes 10:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular1xExodus 7:18
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular1xExodus 8:14
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common singular1xGenesis 34:30
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute1x1 Samuel 27:12
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine plural1xExodus 5:21
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
Source Gloss
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally BDB: have a bad smell Usage: (make to) be abhorred (had in abomination, loathsome, odious), (cause a, make to) stink(-ing savour), × utterly.
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 groups4Aligned forms13
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action8×
Perfect1Sam 27:12 · Exod 16:24 · Isa 30:5 · Exod 5:21 · Ps 38:65×
ImperfectEccl 10:1 · Prov 13:52×
Infinitive absolute1Sam 27:121×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others1×
Perfect1Chr 19:61×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action3×
Perfect1Sam 13:4 · 2Sam 10:6 · 2Sam 16:213×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense1×
ImperfectIsa 50:21×
Word Origins
בָּאַשׁ is a primitive root - no further derivation.