Hebrew · H977, H5459

בָּחַר ... סְגֻלָּה

Properly, to try , i.e. (by implication) select · wealth (as closely shut up)

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.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

בָּחַר H977 properly, to try , i.e. (by implication) select
Pronunciation bāḥar
Selection emerges from testing or scrutiny; implies deliberate evaluation before choosing, especially God's covenant choice.
Open lexicon entry →
סְגֻלָּה H5459 wealth (as closely shut up)
Pronunciation sĕgûlāh
Precious possession held close and kept separate, emphasizing exclusivity and jealous guarding rather than mere wealth
Open lexicon entry →

What does בָּחַר ... סְגֻלָּה (bachar ... segullah) mean in the Bible?

בָּחַר · סְגֻלָּה is a Hebrew phrase meaning "properly, to try , i.e. (by implication) select". properly, to try , i.

Full entry for בָּחַר ... סְגֻלָּה (H977, H5459) · Open the biblical lexicon

Meaning

properly, to try , i.e. (by implication) select
Word Origins

בָּחַר ... סְגֻלָּה is a primitive root — no further derivation.

Grammatical Forms

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

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 124×
Perfect 1Chr 15:2 · 1Chr 28:4 · 1Chr 28:10 · 1Chr 29:1 · 1Kgs 14:21 · 1Sam 10:24 · 1Sam 16:8 · 1Sam 16:9 · 1Sam 16:10 · 2Chr 12:13 · 2Chr 29:11 · 2Sam 6:21 · 2Sam 16:18 · Deut 7:6 · Deut 14:2 · Deut 18:5 60×
Imperfect 2Sam 15:15 · Deut 12:5 · Deut 12:11 · Deut 12:14 · Deut 12:18 · Deut 12:21 · Deut 12:26 · Deut 14:23 · Deut 14:24 · Deut 14:25 · Deut 15:20 · Deut 16:2 · Deut 16:6 · Deut 16:7 · Deut 16:11 · Deut 16:15 39×
Participle passive 1Chr 19:10 · 1Kgs 12:21 · 1Sam 24:3 · 1Sam 26:2 · 2Chr 11:1 · 2Chr 13:3 · 2Chr 13:17 · 2Chr 25:5 · 2Sam 6:1 · 2Sam 10:9 · Exod 14:7 · Judg 20:15 · Judg 20:16 · Judg 20:34 · Song 5:15 16×
Sequential imperfect 1Chr 21:10 · 2Sam 24:12 · Exod 17:9 · 1Kgs 18:25 · Josh 24:15
Cohortative 2Sam 17:1 · Job 9:14
Participle active 1Sam 20:30
Jussive Prov 3:31
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Participle active Prov 8:10 · Prov 8:19 · Prov 10:20 · Prov 16:16 · Prov 21:3 · Prov 22:1
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject
Imperfect Eccl 9:4
Qal passive
Participle passive Jer 49:19
Sources