from בָּכָה; a weeping; by analogy, a dripping; overflowing, [idiom] sore, (continual) weeping, wept.
Transliteration:Bᵉkîy
Pronunciation:bek-ee'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, `{{H1065}}`) is derived directly from the verbal root בָּכָה (bāḵâ, `{{H1058}}`), meaning "to weep" or "to bewail." Its core meaning, therefore, is "weeping" or "lamentation," referring to the act, state, or sound of shedding tears due to strong emotion. The semantic range of בְּכִי extends beyond simple tearfulness:
* **Weeping/Lamentation:** This is the most prevalent sense, signifying deep sorrow, grief, or distress, often expressed audibly and with tears.
* **Overflowing/Dripping:** By analogy, the term can describe a continuous flow, similar to a stream of tears. This highlights the abundance or persistence of the weeping. The base definition also includes "dripping," which might imply a constant, perhaps painful, exudation.
* **Sore:** The definition notes an idiomatic usage implying a "sore" or painful condition, likely referring to a wound that weeps or oozes, or metaphorically to a deep, persistent sorrow.
* **Continual Weeping:** The nuance of "continual" emphasizes the duration and intensity of the sorrow, suggesting a prolonged state of grief.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, `{{H1065}}`) appears numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, predominantly in contexts of profound emotional distress, mourning, or lament.
* **Intense Grief and Mourning:**
* In [[Genesis 45:2]], Joseph's weeping upon revealing himself to his brothers is so loud that "the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it," indicating an overwhelming emotional release.
* [[Deuteronomy 34:8]] records the "weeping" of the Israelites for Moses for thirty days, a customary period of intense national mourning.
* [[1 Samuel 30:4]] depicts David and his men weeping so bitterly over the capture of their families that "they had no more strength to weep," illustrating extreme anguish.
* The book of Lamentations frequently employs בְּכִי to describe Jerusalem's desolation and the deep sorrow of its inhabitants, as seen in [[Lamentations 1:2]] ("she weeps bitterly in the night") and [[Lamentations 1:16]] ("For these things I weep; my eye, my eye runs down with water").
* The prophet Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," uses the term to express the intense sorrow over the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem ([[Jeremiah 9:10]], [[Jeremiah 9:18]]).
* **Weeping of Repentance and Conviction:**
* In [[Nehemiah 8:9]], the people "wept when they heard the words of the Law," indicating a profound sense of conviction and sorrow over their past disobedience. This weeping is not merely grief but a response to divine truth.
* [[Jeremiah 3:21]] describes the "weeping" of the children of Israel on the high places, acknowledging their perversion of their way and forgetting the Lord.
* **Weeping Mixed with Joy/Hope:**
* Intriguingly, [[Ezra 3:13]] describes a scene where the people "could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping," as they witnessed the laying of the temple's foundation. This highlights the complex human experience where deep emotion, whether sorrow for the past or joy for the future, can manifest in tears.
* [[Jeremiah 31:9]] speaks of the returning exiles who will come "with weeping," yet this weeping is set in the context of God's leading them back, suggesting tears of relief, repentance, and perhaps overwhelming gratitude.
* **Figurative Usage (Overflowing/Streaming):**
* The "overflowing" or "dripping" aspect of the definition is evident in passages like [[Lamentations 2:18]], where Zion's cry is commanded to "run down like a stream of tears," and [[Lamentations 3:48]], where Jeremiah declares, "My eye streams with tears." Here, בְּכִי vividly portrays an incessant, abundant flow of sorrow.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, `{{H1065}}`) is enriched by examining its relationship with other Hebrew terms:
* **בָּכָה (bāḵâ, `{{H1058}}`):** As its direct verbal root, this is the most crucial related word, meaning "to weep, to lament, to bewail." The noun בְּכִי captures the essence of the action described by the verb.
* **אֵבֶל (ʾēḇel, `{{H68}}`):** "Mourning" or "lamentation." This term often describes the state or ritual of mourning, which inherently involves בְּכִי.
* **קִינָה (qînâ, `{{H7015}}`):** "Lamentation" or "dirge." This refers to a specific type of mournful song or poem, a formalized expression of בְּכִי.
* **יָלַל (yālal, `{{H3213}}`):** "To wail, to howl." While בְּכִי focuses on the tears and emotional state, יָלַל emphasizes the loud, often guttural, vocal expression of distress.
* **סָפַד (sāp̄aḏ, `{{H5594}}`):** "To lament, to bewail." This verb often describes the act of mourning, particularly for the dead, and would involve בְּכִי.
* **צָרָה (ṣārâ, `{{H6869}}`):** "Distress, trouble, anguish." This term often denotes the circumstances or causes that lead to בְּכִי.
* **קוֹל (qôl, `{{H6963}}`):** "Voice, sound." The "sound of weeping" (קוֹל בְּכִי) is a common construct, highlighting the audible nature of lamentation.
Conversely, terms like שִׂמְחָה (śimḥâ, `{{H8057}}`, "joy") and רִנָּה (rinnâ, `{{H7440}}`, "shouting of joy, singing") stand in stark contrast to בְּכִי, though as seen in [[Ezra 3:13]], they can sometimes occur simultaneously in moments of profound, mixed emotion.
### Theological Significance
The concept of בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, `{{H1065}}`) carries significant theological weight, reflecting both the human condition and divine interaction.
* **Authentic Human Emotion:** Weeping is presented as a natural and valid human response to suffering, loss, and even overwhelming joy. It underscores the reality of living in a fallen world where pain is inevitable. The Bible does not condemn weeping but often portrays it as an appropriate expression of the soul.
* **Lament as Spiritual Expression:** In the Old Testament, lamentation (which includes בְּכִי) is a vital form of prayer and worship. It allows individuals and communities to pour out their grief, confusion, and pain before God, demonstrating trust that He hears and cares. The Psalms of lament are prime examples of this.
* **Signs of Repentance and Contrition:** The weeping of the people in [[Nehemiah 8:9]] and [[Jeremiah 3:21]] illustrates that tears can signify genuine sorrow over sin and a broken spirit. This aligns with the biblical teaching that God is near to the brokenhearted and does not despise a contrite heart ([[Psalm 34:18]], [[Psalm 51:17]]).
* **Divine Compassion and Intervention:** While humans weep, God is depicted as one who hears and responds to the cries of His people. The promise that God will ultimately "wipe away every tear" ([[Isaiah 25:8]], echoed in [[Revelation 7:17]], [[Revelation 21:4]]) is a powerful eschatological hope. It signifies that weeping is a temporary reality of this age, a consequence of sin and suffering, which will be entirely abolished in the new heavens and new earth. The "valley of Baca" (valley of weeping) in [[Psalm 84:6]] is transformed into a place of springs, symbolizing divine transformation of sorrow into blessing.
* **Prophetic Witness:** Prophets like Jeremiah embody בְּכִי, weeping over the sins of their people and the impending judgment, thereby sharing in God's own sorrow and demonstrating the gravity of disobedience.
### Summary
בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, `{{H1065}}`) is a rich Hebrew noun primarily denoting "weeping" or "lamentation," derived from the verb "to weep" (בָּכָה, `{{H1058}}`). Its semantic range extends to include the sense of an "overflowing" or "streaming" of tears, and idiomatically, a "sore" or deep, persistent sorrow. Biblically, בְּכִי is found in contexts of intense personal grief, national mourning, and communal lament. Significantly, it also appears as an expression of repentance and conviction in response to God's word, and in rare instances, as a component of overwhelming, mixed emotions that include joy. Theologically, בְּכִי underscores the reality of human suffering and the validity of expressing sorrow before God. It highlights the importance of lament as a spiritual discipline, the transformative power of repentance, and the ultimate eschatological hope that God will one day permanently remove all weeping, ushering in an era of perfect joy and peace.
TRV