What does בָּחַל mean in the Bible?
בָּחַל is a Hebrew word meaning "to loath".
Hebrew · H973
בָּחַל
To loath
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 the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
בָּחַל H973
What does בָּחַל mean in the Bible?
בָּחַל is a Hebrew word meaning "to loath".
Full entry for בָּחַל (H973) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H973?
The BSB source-word alignment has 2 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include detested (1), gained (1).
Where does בָּחַל appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Proverbs 20:21. Its strongest book concentrations include Proverbs (1), Zechariah (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 It detested 1× Zechariah 11:8
gained 1× Proverbs 20:21
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Proverbs 20:21
Aligned rows 2
Books represented 2
Proverbs 1 Zechariah 1
Source forms
בָּחֲלָ֥ה 1x bā·ḥă·lāh Zechariah 11:8
מְבֻחֶלֶת 1x mə·ḇu·ḥɛ·lɛṯ Proverbs 20:21
Parsing patterns
Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine singular 1x Proverbs 20:21
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular 1x Zechariah 11:8
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to loath
Source Gloss
to loath
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to loath BDB: gotten by greed Usage: abhor, get hastily (from the margin for 926).
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 groups 2 Aligned forms 2
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 1×
Participle passive Prov 20:21 1×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 1×
Perfect Zech 11:8 1×
Word Origins
בָּחַל is a primitive root - no further derivation.
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
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain