### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun בֶּכֶה (bekeh, `{{H1059}}`) is directly derived from the verb בָּכָה (bakah, `{{H1058}}`), which signifies "to weep," "to lament," or "to mourn." Consequently, the primary meaning of בֶּכֶה (bekeh) is "weeping" or "lamentation." The provided base definition also includes an idiomatic sense: "sore." This is not a reference to a physical wound but rather to a deep, pervasive internal pain or distress that manifests as weeping. It conveys the profound suffering or grief that underlies the act of lamentation, suggesting a heart or spirit made "sore" by sorrow.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word בֶּכֶה (bekeh, `{{H1059}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, yet each instance powerfully illustrates its core meaning of intense sorrow and lamentation:
1. **[[Genesis 50:4]]**: "And when the days of his weeping were past, Joseph spoke to the household of Pharaoh, saying..."
Here, בֶּכֶה (bekeh) refers to the period of deep mourning following the death of Jacob. Joseph and his family observed a significant period of public lamentation, a customary practice in the ancient Near East to honor the deceased and express profound grief. The context is one of familial loss and the solemn rites associated with death. The "weeping" is a direct, outward expression of the inner "soreness" of heart caused by the patriarch's passing.
2. **[[Isaiah 15:8]]**: "For the cry has gone around the border of Moab; its wailing reaches to Eglaim, its wailing to Beer-elim."
In this prophetic lament over the impending destruction of Moab, בֶּכֶה (bekeh) is used alongside יְלָלָה (yelalah, `{{H3215}}`, "wailing" or "howling") to describe the widespread national distress. The "weeping" here is not merely personal grief but a collective outcry of a people facing devastation, a manifestation of the "soreness" of a nation suffering divine judgment. It depicts a scene of utter despair and public lamentation permeating the entire land.
In both contexts, בֶּכֶה (bekeh) denotes a profound and often public expression of sorrow, whether in response to personal bereavement or national catastrophe. The "sore" aspect of the definition is vividly portrayed, as the weeping stems from deep-seated pain and distress.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct and foundational connection for בֶּכֶה (bekeh, `{{H1059}}`) is its root verb, בָּכָה (bakah, `{{H1058}}`), "to weep, lament." The noun encapsulates the act or state described by the verb. Other related Hebrew terms that convey aspects of sorrow, mourning, and lamentation include:
* אֵבֶל (evel, `{{H60}}`): Mourning, lamentation, often specifically in the context of death.
* קִינָה (qinah, `{{H7015}}`): A dirge or lamentation, often a mournful song or poetic composition.
* יְלָלָה (yelalah, `{{H3215}}`): Wailing, howling, a loud and often public expression of grief or distress, as seen in parallel with בֶּכֶה (bekeh) in [[Isaiah 15:8]].
* צָעַק (tsa'aq, `{{H6817}}`): To cry out, often for help or in distress.
* תַּאֲנִיָּה (ta'aniyah, `{{H8386}}`): Mourning, lamentation, often associated with groaning.
These words collectively paint a picture of the various ways sorrow and distress are expressed in the biblical world, highlighting the depth and breadth of human suffering.
### Theological Significance
Weeping (בֶּכֶה, `{{H1059}}`) in the biblical narrative is far more than a mere emotional discharge; it is a profound human response imbued with theological significance. It underscores the reality of living in a fallen world, where sin, loss, and the consequences of rebellion lead to inevitable suffering.
1. **Response to Death and Loss**: As seen in [[Genesis 50:4]], weeping is an appropriate and divinely acknowledged response to death. It reflects the pain of separation and the rupture of relationships, a poignant reminder of mortality and the impact of sin on creation.
2. **Response to Judgment and Catastrophe**: In [[Isaiah 15:8]], weeping is a collective lament in the face of divine judgment and national devastation. It signifies the agony of a people experiencing the consequences of their actions or the sovereign hand of God in history. Such weeping can be a precursor to repentance, a recognition of divine justice, or simply the raw expression of despair.
3. **Human Vulnerability and God's Empathy**: The "sore" aspect of בֶּכֶה (bekeh) speaks to the deep, internal wound of suffering. The Bible consistently portrays a God who is not distant from human suffering but is intimately aware of and responsive to the tears of His people. While not always using this specific word, the broader biblical witness affirms that God collects the tears of His saints ([[Psalm 56:8]]) and promises a future where all tears will be wiped away ([[Revelation 21:4]]). Thus, even in its expression of sorrow, בֶּכֶה (bekeh) implicitly points to the divine recognition of human pain and the ultimate hope for its cessation.
### Summary
בֶּכֶה (bekeh, `{{H1059}}`) is a potent Hebrew noun, derived from the verb בָּכָה (bakah, `{{H1058}}`), signifying "weeping" or "lamentation." Though appearing only twice in the Hebrew Bible, its occurrences in [[Genesis 50:4]] and [[Isaiah 15:8]] powerfully demonstrate its meaning as an intense and often public expression of profound grief. Whether in the context of personal bereavement or national calamity, בֶּכֶה (bekeh) conveys the deep, internal "soreness" of heart that precipitates such outward displays of sorrow. Theologically, it highlights the biblical understanding of human suffering as a tangible reality in a fallen world, a response to loss and judgment, and a profound expression of vulnerability that is acknowledged and ultimately addressed by God.
TRV