from the same as בֶּסֶר; {an immature grape}; sour grape.
Transliteration:bôçer
Pronunciation:bo'ser
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H1155 (בֹּסֶר, *bôçer*) originates from a root related to בֶּסֶר (*beser*), which also signifies an unripe fruit. Its core meaning refers specifically to an "immature grape" or a "sour grape." This definition inherently conveys a sense of unripeness, incompleteness, and a sharp, unpleasant taste, distinct from the sweetness of a fully matured grape. The word thus encapsulates the qualities of something undeveloped and unready, carrying connotations of bitterness or acridity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H1155 (בֹּסֶר, *bôçer*) appears in the Hebrew Bible exclusively in metaphorical contexts, serving to illustrate a profound theological principle concerning justice and individual responsibility. Its most significant occurrences are found in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel:
* **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. Every man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge." [[Jeremiah 31:29-30]] Here, the "sour grapes" (בֹּסֶר) symbolize the bitter consequences of sin, and the proverb represents a common complaint among the exiles regarding inherited guilt. Jeremiah, speaking on behalf of Yahweh, directly refutes this notion, proclaiming a future covenant where individual accountability will be the cornerstone of divine judgment. The imagery of teeth being "set on edge" (נִקְהֲתָה, *niqhatah* from `{{H6949}}`) vividly portrays the unpleasant sensation caused by the sourness, directly linking it to the discomfort and suffering associated with unrighteousness.
* **Ezekiel 18:2-4**: "What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? As I live, declares the Lord GOD, you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel. Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die." [[Ezekiel 18:2-4]] Similar to Jeremiah, Ezekiel confronts the popular "sour grapes" proverb, which articulated a perceived injustice of a generation suffering for the sins of their ancestors. The divine declaration here emphatically rejects this proverb, asserting God's righteous judgment based solely on individual culpability.
In both instances, *bôçer* is not a literal agricultural reference but a powerful symbolic representation of the bitter fruit of sin. The prophetic messages decisively shift the theological focus from collective or inherited guilt to personal responsibility before God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of H1155 (בֹּסֶר, *bôçer*) connects it to several related terms and theological concepts:
* **בֶּסֶר (beser)**: This is the root from which *bôçer* is derived, also signifying "unripe fruit" or "unripe grape." This etymological connection underscores the core concept of immaturity and unripeness.
* **חֹמֶץ (ḥōmeṣ, `{{H2558}}`)**: Meaning "vinegar" or "sour wine," this term also denotes something sour or acidic. While *bôçer* describes the natural sourness of an unripe fruit, *ḥōmeṣ* refers to a processed or fermented sourness. Both terms evoke the sensation of acridity.
* **מָרָה (marah, `{{H4751}}`) / מַר (mar, `{{H4753}}`)**: These terms signify "bitter" or "bitterness." While sourness (bôçer) and bitterness are distinct tastes, they both convey unpleasantness and are frequently used metaphorically for suffering, sorrow, or judgment in biblical literature.
* **Inherited Guilt vs. Individual Responsibility**: The most significant theological concept linked to *bôçer* in its biblical usage is the dialectic between the idea of inherited sin or corporate punishment and the principle of individual accountability. The prophetic repudiation of the "sour grapes" proverb marks a pivotal development in Israelite theology, emphasizing that each person will answer for their own deeds, rather than suffering solely for ancestral transgressions.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H1155 (בֹּסֶר, *bôçer*) is profound, primarily due to its metaphorical deployment in articulating a crucial shift in the understanding of divine justice and human responsibility. The proverb, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge," reflected a pervasive belief in collective guilt and intergenerational punishment, a concept perhaps rooted in earlier covenant curses (e.g., [[Exodus 20:5]]). However, the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, ministering during the tumultuous exilic period, decisively challenged this deterministic viewpoint.
Their pronouncements (in [[Jeremiah 31:29-30]] and [[Ezekiel 18:2-4]]) heralded a new era wherein divine judgment would be based on individual righteousness or sin. God’s justice is presented as perfectly equitable and precise, holding each person accountable for their own choices. This emphasis on individual accountability does not negate the reality of corporate sin or its devastating consequences (such as the exile itself), but it refines the understanding of personal culpability before a holy and righteous God.
The "sour grape" metaphor thus becomes a powerful pedagogical tool, conveying several vital theological truths:
1. **Divine Justice**: God's justice is perfect and fair, holding each individual responsible for their own actions.
2. **Personal Accountability**: No one can legitimately attribute their suffering solely to the sins of their ancestors; each person's spiritual destiny is directly tied to their own obedience or disobedience.
3. **Hope and Restoration**: For the exiled community, this message offered immense hope. It implied that their future was not immutably determined by the failures of past generations but could be reshaped by their own repentance and faithfulness. They were invited to break the cycle of "sour grapes" and embrace a new covenant marked by a direct, personal relationship with God.
This theological development is foundational for understanding the biblical emphasis on personal repentance and the direct, unmediated relationship between the individual and the Creator.
### Summary
H1155 (בֹּסֶר, *bôçer*) literally denotes an "immature" or "sour grape," characterized by its unpleasant, unripe taste. In its biblical occurrences, predominantly in the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the term functions as a potent metaphor. It is central to the proverb, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge," which the prophets directly confront and refute. The use of *bôçer* in these contexts signifies the bitter consequences of sin and, more importantly, serves to articulate a pivotal theological shift from a perceived notion of inherited guilt to a clear declaration of individual responsibility before God. The prophetic message emphasizes that divine justice is meted out according to each person's own actions, thereby offering a foundation for personal repentance and a renewed relationship with the Holy One of Israel. The sourness of the grape vividly illustrates the direct, unpleasant outcome of personal iniquity.
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