### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **bekeh**, represented by `{{H1059}}`, is derived from the root word for weeping, **bâkâh**. It signifies "a weeping" and is used idiomatically as "sore" to describe a very intense level of sorrow. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, highlighting a moment of singular and profound grief.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H1059}}` is in the context of Israel's national confession in [[Ezra 10:1]]. After Ezra prayed, confessed, and wept before the house of God, a great congregation of men, women, and children gathered. The scripture states, "for the people wept very **sore**." Here, `{{H1059}}` describes the extreme weeping of the people, functioning as a powerful adverbial noun that intensifies their collective act of mourning and repentance in response to their sin.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of `{{H1059}}` is illuminated by its relationship to other Hebrew words used in the same context:
* `{{H1058}}` **bâkâh**: This is the primitive root from which **bekeh** is derived, meaning "to weep" or "bemoan." It is the general term for weeping, seen in contexts of both personal grief [[Isaiah 38:3]] and communal lament [[Joel 2:17]].
* `{{H6419}}` **pâlal**: Defined as "to intercede, pray," this action by Ezra is the catalyst for the people's repentance in [[Ezra 10:1]]. This word is central to the concept of supplication and approaching God, as seen when Daniel "prayed unto the LORD" [[Daniel 9:4]].
* `{{H3034}}` **yâdâh**: This word means "to confess" or "praise." Ezra's confession `{{H3034}}` is a pivotal moment that leads to the people's weeping. The term links the act of acknowledging sin with turning toward God, as stated in [[Proverbs 28:13]], where one who "confesseth and forsaketh" finds mercy.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H1059}}` is concentrated entirely in its single appearance, emphasizing several key principles:
* **Corporate Repentance:** Its use to describe the weeping of the "very great congregation" in [[Ezra 10:1]] powerfully illustrates the concept of collective responsibility and national repentance. The sorrow was not isolated but a shared, communal experience.
* **The Intensity of Godly Sorrow:** The term **bekeh** signifies a sorrow that is profound and painful. It distinguishes the weeping in [[Ezra 10:1]] as more than simple sadness, portraying it as the deep anguish that accompanies a genuine recognition of sin before God.
* **A Response to Godly Leadership:** The people's intense weeping `{{H1059}}` did not occur in a vacuum; it was a direct response to Ezra's prayer `{{H6419}}`, confession `{{H3034}}`, and personal weeping `{{H1058}}`. This demonstrates how confronting sin leads to genuine godly sorrow.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H1059}}` **bekeh** is one of the rarest words in the biblical lexicon, its singular use is deeply significant. It provides a unique and powerful descriptor for the apex of sorrowful repentance. Its context in [[Ezra 10:1]] ties it inextricably to the themes of national confession and the profound emotional and spiritual impact of acknowledging sin before God, making it a vivid illustration of a people weeping "very sore."
TRV