What does בָּדָא (bādāʾ) mean in the Bible?
בָּדָא (bādāʾ): Rare verb meaning to fabricate or contrive falsehoods; primarily used of deceitful invention rather than creative making
Hebrew · H908
בָּדָא
(Figuratively) to invent
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
בָּדָאH908
Pronunciationbādāʾ
What does בָּדָא (bādāʾ) mean in the Bible?
בָּדָא (bādāʾ): Rare verb meaning to fabricate or contrive falsehoods; primarily used of deceitful invention rather than creative making
Full entry for בָּדָא (H908) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H908?
The BSB source-word alignment has 2 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include are inventing them (1), of his own choosing (1).
Where does בָּדָא (bādāʾ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 1 Kings 12:33. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Kings (1), Nehemiah (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itare inventing them1×Nehemiah 6:8
of his own choosing1×1 Kings 12:33
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row1 Kings 12:33
Aligned rows2
Books represented2
1 Kings1Nehemiah1
Source forms
בָּדָ֣א1xbā·ḏā1 Kings 12:33
בוֹדָֽאם׃1xḇō·ḏå̄mNehemiah 6:8
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural1xNehemiah 6:8
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular1x1 Kings 12:33
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Rare verb meaning to fabricate or contrive falsehoods; primarily used of deceitful invention rather than creative making
Source Gloss
(figuratively) to invent
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Rare verb meaning to fabricate or contrive falsehoods; primarily used of deceitful invention rather than creative making
(figuratively) to invent BDB: devise Usage: devise, feign.
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 groups1Aligned forms1
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense1×
Perfect1Kgs 12:331×
Word Origins
בָּדָא is a primitive root - no further derivation.