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.
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.
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.
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.
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