from an unused root meaning to be sour; an immature grape; unripe grape.
Transliteration:beçer
Pronunciation:beh'-ser
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H1154 (בֶּסֶר, *beçer*) derives from an unused root signifying "to be sour." Its primary semantic range is narrow, referring specifically to an "unripe" or "immature grape." This definition inherently carries connotations of something undeveloped, not yet ready for its intended purpose, or possessing an unpleasant, "sour" quality due to its lack of maturity. It is the grape in a preliminary stage, before it has fully ripened and sweetened. The "sourness" is not merely a taste but also implies the negative consequences or unsuitability of something prematurely brought to fruition or consumed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H1154 appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, each instance offering a distinct and profound contextual layer:
1. **[[Isaiah 18:5]]**: "For before the harvest, when the blossom is over and the grape is ripening, he will cut off the shoots with pruning hooks, and prune away and remove the branches." Here, *beçer* describes the grape at a critical stage of development, just before it ripens fully. In this prophetic oracle, the cutting off of the shoots and removal of branches before the harvest, when the grape is still *beçer*, signifies a divine act of judgment or intervention. It suggests the thwarting of a nation's plans or the premature termination of a promising development, preventing it from reaching its intended fruition or yielding its expected fruit. The imagery conveys a decisive, sovereign act that prevents the "sour" fruit from ever becoming ripe, or perhaps, prevents its very existence from reaching a point where it could be harvested for a negative purpose.
2. **[[Jeremiah 31:29-30]]**: "In those days they shall no longer say: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ But everyone shall die for his own iniquity. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge." This passage presents *beçer* as "sour grapes" within a well-known proverb. The proverb encapsulated the traditional belief in corporate punishment, where children suffered for the sins of their parents. The "sour grapes" eaten by the fathers caused the "teeth to be set on edge" (a metaphor for pain or discomfort) in the children. However, Jeremiah's prophecy explicitly refutes this proverb, declaring a new covenant where individual accountability will prevail. Under this new dispensation, each person will be held responsible for their own sin, and only the one who *personally* eats the "sour grapes" (commits sin) will experience the consequence of having their teeth set on edge. This usage highlights the painful, unpleasant consequence of immaturity or sin, but crucially redefines the locus of responsibility.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of H1154 is enriched by examining its relationship with several other biblical words and concepts:
* **Vine and Fruit (`{{H1612}}` *gephen*, `{{H6025}}` *ʿēnāḇ*):** *Beçer* is inherently linked to the vine and its produce. Its existence as an "unripe grape" presupposes the vine itself and the natural cycle of fruit bearing. Its immaturity stands in contrast to the fully ripe `{{H6025}}` grape.
* **Harvest (`{{H7105}}` *qāṣîr*):** In [[Isaiah 18:5]], *beçer* is described in relation to the harvest, emphasizing that it is cut off *before* the time of gathering. This highlights the concept of divine timing and the prevention of an outcome before its natural culmination.
* **Sourness/Bitterness (`{{H4846}}` *mar*):** While *mar* refers broadly to "bitter," *beçer* specifically denotes the sourness characteristic of unripe fruit, particularly grapes. This specific kind of sourness is tied to immaturity and the unpleasantness it produces.
* **Proverb (`{{H4912}}` *māšāl*):** The use of *beçer* in [[Jeremiah 31:29]] places it within the literary and theological context of a proverb, a concise saying expressing a general truth or observation. Jeremiah's reinterpretation of this proverb is pivotal.
* **Iniquity (`{{H5771}}` *ʿāwōn*):** In the Jeremiah passage, the "sour grapes" are directly linked to *ʿāwōn* (iniquity), representing the consequences of sin. The shift from corporate to individual responsibility for *ʿāwōn* is a central theological point.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H1154 is profound, particularly through its dual usage:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: In [[Isaiah 18:5]], the cutting off of the *beçer* signifies God's absolute sovereignty over nations and their plans. Before any scheme or development can mature and yield its intended (and often malevolent) fruit, God intervenes decisively. This demonstrates that divine judgment can preemptively strike, preventing the full manifestation of unrighteousness and asserting God's control over the course of history. It underscores that even seemingly promising starts can be divinely curtailed if they are not aligned with God's purposes.
2. **Individual Accountability and the New Covenant**: The most impactful theological contribution of *beçer* comes from [[Jeremiah 31:29-30]]. The proverb of the "sour grapes" serves as a powerful symbol of inherited guilt and the intergenerational consequences of sin. However, Jeremiah's prophecy, announcing a new covenant, radically overturns this traditional understanding. It declares a future where individual responsibility for sin will be paramount. No longer will children suffer for their parents' iniquity; rather, "everyone shall die for his own iniquity." This shift is foundational to the concept of individual relationship with God and personal accountability for one's choices. It highlights God's justice, which ultimately holds each person responsible for their own actions, and anticipates a deeper, more direct covenant relationship where personal obedience and faith are key. The "sourness" becomes a direct consequence of one's own eating (sinning), not another's.
### Summary
H1154 (בֶּסֶר, *beçer*) denotes an "unripe" or "immature grape," carrying the inherent connotation of "sourness" due to its undeveloped state. Its limited but highly significant appearances in the biblical text reveal two distinct theological dimensions. In [[Isaiah 18:5]], it symbolizes divine judgment and sovereign intervention, where God preemptively thwarts the maturation of plans, preventing them from yielding their intended (and often negative) fruit. In [[Jeremiah 31:29-30]], *beçer* is central to a powerful proverb concerning corporate sin and its consequences. However, the prophet radically reinterprets this proverb, using the "sour grapes" to declare a foundational shift towards individual accountability under the coming New Covenant. Thus, *beçer* serves as a potent image for both the decisive hand of God in history and the profound theological truth of personal responsibility before Him.
TRV