בְּעָא

bᵉʻâʼ /beh-aw'/ Ask about this word
Meaning(Aramaic) or בְּעָה; (Aramaic), corresponding to בָּעָה; to seek or ask
KJV usageask, desire, make (petition), pray, request, seek.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word bᵉʻâʼ, represented by H1156, means to seek or ask. It appears 12 times across 12 unique verses. Its usage covers a range of actions, including to "ask, desire, make (petition), pray, request, seek."

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, all occurrences of H1156 are found in the book of Daniel, highlighting its role in contexts of petition and investigation. It is used when Daniel and his friends desire mercies from the God of heaven concerning a secret Daniel 2:18 and when Daniel requests time from the king Daniel 2:16. The word also carries a sense of active searching, as when Daniel's adversaries sought to find occasion against him Daniel 6:4 or when they sought for Daniel and his fellows to be slain Daniel 2:13. It is notably used for the act of prayer, where Daniel is found praying and making supplication to his God Daniel 6:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide additional context for the act of asking and seeking:

  • H1159 bâʻûw (petition): This noun is derived from H1156 and refers to the request itself. It is used in the decree that forbids anyone from asking a petition of any god or man other than the king Daniel 6:7.
  • H2604 chănan (shew mercy, make supplication): This word often appears alongside acts of prayer. Daniel was found praying and making supplication before his God, showing the earnest nature of his petitions Daniel 6:11.
  • H7912 shᵉkach (find): This verb is often the goal of the action of "seeking." The presidents and princes sought H1156 to find H7912 a fault in Daniel but could not Daniel 6:4.

Theological Significance

The significance of H1156 is seen in its application to both human and divine interactions.

  • Petitioning Authority: The word is used for making requests to both earthly kings and the God of heaven. Daniel requested that the king set his friends over the affairs of Babylon Daniel 2:49, and he and his friends desired mercy from God Daniel 2:18.
  • Faithfulness in Prayer: Daniel's unwavering commitment to God is defined by his use of H1156. He is accused of making his petition three times a day despite a royal decree forbidding it Daniel 6:13, demonstrating that prayer was a non-negotiable act of faith for him.
  • Seeking with Intent: The word demonstrates that "seeking" can have different motives. While Daniel sought knowledge from God Daniel 2:23, his enemies sought fault in him Daniel 6:4, illustrating that the same action can be driven by either righteous or malicious intent.

Summary

In summary, H1156 bᵉʻâʼ is a versatile Aramaic term that encapsulates the act of asking and seeking. Its exclusive use in Daniel highlights critical moments of petition, from formal requests directed at a king to life-defining prayers directed at God. It illustrates how the act of seeking can be a demonstration of faith, a plea for understanding, or a tool for malice.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 12 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms.

  • Peal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Peal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Pael Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Peal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Peal Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Peal Perfect 1st Plural common gender 1×
  • Peal Perfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Peal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Peal
The Aramaic simple stem — counterpart of Hebrew Qal.
Pael
The Aramaic intensive stem — counterpart of Hebrew Piel.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

12 verses, all in Daniel.

Verse Explorer

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