What does בָּטָא mean in the Bible?
בָּטָא is a Hebrew word meaning "to babble ; hence, to vociferate angrily".
Hebrew · H981
בָּטָא
To babble ; hence, to vociferate angrily
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.
בָּטָאH981
What does בָּטָא mean in the Bible?
בָּטָא is a Hebrew word meaning "to babble ; hence, to vociferate angrily".
Full entry for בָּטָא (H981) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H981?
The BSB source-word alignment has 4 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and [Moses] spoke rashly (1), may rashly pronounce (1), Speaking rashly (1), thoughtlessly (1).
Where does בָּטָא appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Leviticus 5:4. Its strongest book concentrations include Leviticus (2), Proverbs (1), Psalms (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 Itand [Moses] spoke rashly1×Psalms 106:33
may rashly pronounce1×Leviticus 5:4
Speaking rashly1×Proverbs 12:18
thoughtlessly1×Leviticus 5:4
Show sample aligned rows
Leviticus 5:4לְבַטֵּ֨אtothoughtlesslyPreposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive constructLeviticus 5:4יְבַטֵּ֧אtomay rashly pronounceVerb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singularPsalms 106:33וַ֝יְבַטֵּ֗אtoand [Moses] spoke rashlyConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularProverbs 12:18בּ֭וֹטֶהtoSpeaking rashlyVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowLeviticus 5:4
Aligned rows4
Books represented3
Leviticus2Psalms1Proverbs1
Source forms
בּ֭וֹטֶה1xbō·w·ṭehProverbs 12:18
וַ֝יְבַטֵּ֗א1xway·ḇaṭ·ṭêPsalms 106:33
יְבַטֵּ֧א1xyə·ḇaṭ·ṭêLeviticus 5:4
לְבַטֵּ֨א1xlə·ḇaṭ·ṭêLeviticus 5:4
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xPsalms 106:33
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct1xLeviticus 5:4
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xLeviticus 5:4
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1xProverbs 12:18
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to babble ; hence, to vociferate angrily
Source Gloss
to babble ; hence, to vociferate angrily
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to babble; hence, to vociferate angrily BDB: speak rashly Usage: pronounce, speak (unadvisedly).
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 forms2
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action1×
ImperfectLev 5:41×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense1×
Participle activeProv 12:181×
Word Origins
בָּטָא is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.