English · KJV
H1157

בְּעַד

bᵉʻad /beh-ad'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom עַד with prepositional prefix
Meaningin up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.
KJV usageabout, at by (means of), for, over, through, up (-on), within.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of bᵉʻad — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word bᵉʻad, represented by H1157, is a versatile preposition with a wide range of meanings including for, about, through, and within. Its base definition is "in up to or over against." It appears 19 times across 19 unique verses in the Bible, indicating its varied but specific applications in contexts of intercession, location, and causality.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H1157 is used to indicate action on behalf of another. Abraham is told he will pray for Abimelech, allowing him to live Genesis 20:7. Moses offers to make an atonement for the people's sin Exodus 32:30, and Pharaoh asks Moses to intreat for him Exodus 8:28. The word also defines physical position and boundaries. God is described as having made a hedge about Job and his house Job 1:10. It is used when Rahab lets the spies down through the window Joshua 2:15 and when the head of Sheba is thrown over the wall 2 Samuel 20:21. In Song of Solomon, it is used poetically to describe a lover's temples seen within her locks Song of Solomon 4:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contextual meaning of bᵉʻad:

  • H6419 pâlal (to intercede, pray): This word is often paired with H1157 to denote intercessory prayer. For example, Abraham is to pray H6419 for Abimelech Genesis 20:7, and Jeremiah is told not to pray H6419 for the people Jeremiah 7:16.
  • H2346 chôwmâh (a wall of protection): This word highlights the use of H1157 to describe passing over a physical barrier. A woman promises Joab that the head of Sheba will be thrown to him over H1157 the wall H2346 of the city.
  • H2474 challôwn (a window): This term appears with H1157 to mark a point of passage or observation. Rahab lets the spies down through H1157 the window H2474, and Abimelech looks out at H1157 a window H2474.

Theological Significance

The theological applications of H1157 are significant, particularly in the areas of mediation and substitution.

  • Intercession: The word repeatedly establishes the role of prophets and leaders as mediators who stand for others before God. Abraham intercedes for Abimelech Genesis 20:7, Moses for Israel Exodus 32:30, and even a Gentile king like Pharaoh requests prayer for himself Exodus 8:28.
  • Atonement: Its use is foundational to the concept of substitutionary atonement. Aaron is instructed to offer a bullock as a sin offering for himself H1157 to make atonement Leviticus 16:6. This demonstrates a sacrifice being made on behalf of an individual.
  • Divine Protection: H1157 is used to illustrate God's protective care. The accuser asks if God has not made a hedge H7753 about H1157 Job, his house H1004, and everything he has, signifying a divine boundary against harm Job 1:10.

Summary

In summary, bᵉʻad H1157 is a crucial preposition that functions beyond simple location. It bridges the physical and the spiritual, describing movement through a window, passage over a wall, and the hidden beauty within locks. More importantly, it carries the theological weight of mediation, demonstrating how a prophet stands for his people, an offering is made for a sinner, and God's protection is placed about the righteous.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as an adjective and a noun across 107 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • בְּעַד
  • בַּעַד
  • עוֹד
  • בַּעֲדֵי
  • עֲדִי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H6419 פָּלַל a primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray; intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pra H2346 חוֹמָה feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection; wall, walled. H2474 חַלּוֹן a window (as perforated); window. H7753 שׂוּךְ a primitive root; to entwine, i.e. shut in (for formation, protection or restraint); fence, (make an) hedge (up). H1004 בַּיִת probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, d

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 19 verses across 13 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Song of Solomon (3 verses); never once in the other 26.

2
Genesis
2
Exodus
1
Leviticus
1
Joshua
1
Judges
2
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
1
2 Kings
1
Job
1
Psalms
1
Proverbs
3
Song of Solomon
2
Jeremiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.