English · KJV
H1000

בֵּיצָה

bêytsâh /bay-tsaw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom the same as בּוּץ
Meaningan egg (from its whiteness)
KJV usageegg.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of bêytsâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word bêytsâh, represented by H1000, is the word for an egg. It appears 6 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible. The base definition describes it as an egg, noting its characteristic whiteness. While its meaning is straightforward, scripture uses it to illustrate concepts of vulnerability, sin, and divine law.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H1000 appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In Deuteronomy, it is the subject of a law commanding compassion, stating one should not take a mother bird along with her eggs from a nest Deuteronomy 22:6. Job uses it to describe the behavior of the ostrich, which "leaveth her eggs in the earth" Job 39:14. Prophetically, Isaiah uses the image of easily gathering abandoned eggs to symbolize a conqueror's effortless plundering of the whole earth Isaiah 10:14. It is also used as a powerful metaphor for sin, where the wicked hatch "cockatrice' eggs," which lead to death when eaten Isaiah 59:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which bêytsâh is used:

  • H1234 bâqaʻ (to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open): This verb is used for the action of hatching. In Isaiah 59:5, the wicked hatch the deadly eggs of a cockatrice, and when one is crushed, a viper breaketh out.
  • H7064 qên (a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings): This is the natural location for eggs. It is used when describing a conqueror finding riches like a nest Isaiah 10:14 and in the law protecting a bird's nest containing eggs or young Deuteronomy 22:6.
  • H667 ephrôach (the brood of a bird): This term for young ones is frequently paired with eggs. The law in Deuteronomy 22:6 protects both the young ones and the eggs in a nest from being taken with the mother bird.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H1000 is revealed through its powerful imagery.

  • Symbol of Vulnerability: Abandoned eggs represent utter helplessness. They are used to depict a people completely unable to resist conquest, gathered without anyone who "moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped" Isaiah 10:14. The ostrich leaving her eggs in the dust reinforces this theme of exposure Job 39:14.
  • Metaphor for Sin's Fruit: The "cockatrice' eggs" symbolize the deceptive and deadly nature of wicked deeds. What seems like a productive act ("hatching") ultimately brings forth death to those who partake and unleashes more evil when disturbed Isaiah 59:5.
  • Object of Divine Compassion: The inclusion of eggs in the Mosaic Law highlights God's principle of mercy. The command in Deuteronomy 22:6 teaches respect for the source of life, instructing that the mother bird should not be taken with her potential offspring.

Summary

In summary, H1000 is more than a simple biological term. It is used literally in commands and descriptions of nature, but it carries significant metaphorical weight. It powerfully illustrates profound concepts such as the consequences of evil, the helplessness of the defenseless, and the divine principle of compassion that extends throughout creation.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 6 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • בֵּיצִים
  • בֵּיצֵי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H1234 בָּקַע a primitive root; to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open; make a breach, break forth (into, out, in pieces, t H7064 קֵן contracted from קָנַן; a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling; nest, H667 אֶפְרֹחַ from פָּרַח (in the sense of bursting the shell); the brood of a bird; young (one).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

1
Deuteronomy
1
Job
2
Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.