### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic noun H1159 (בָּעוּ - bâʻûw) signifies "a request" or "a petition." It is derived from the Aramaic verb בְּעָא (`{{H1156}}`), which means "to seek, ask, request, or pray." As a noun, בָּעוּ denotes the specific appeal or formal entreaty made, often to a figure of authority, whether human or divine. The core meaning conveys an earnest desire or a specific need articulated in a plea. Unlike a casual inquiry, a בָּעוּ implies a more deliberate and often urgent communication of a need or desire, seeking a favorable response.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H1159 (בָּעוּ) appears only once in the biblical text, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Ezra:
* [[Ezra 8:23]]: "So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our *petition*."
In this context, Ezra is leading a group of exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem. He deliberately chose not to ask the Persian king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect them from enemies along the way, out of a desire to demonstrate God's power and faithfulness. Instead, Ezra proclaimed a fast by the Ahava Canal, calling upon the people to humble themselves before God and seek His safe passage. The בָּעוּ here refers to this collective, earnest request made to God through fasting and prayer. The verse explicitly states that God "listened to our petition," underscoring divine attentiveness and responsiveness to the sincere appeals of His people. This single occurrence powerfully illustrates the concept of devout reliance on God's providence in the face of vulnerability and great undertaking.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the Aramaic root verb בְּעָא (`{{H1156}}`), from which בָּעוּ is directly derived. This verb encompasses the act of seeking, asking, or praying, providing the verbal action behind the noun "petition."
In Hebrew, several words convey similar concepts of asking or seeking:
* שָׁאַל (`{{H7592}}`): A general term for asking, inquiring, or begging.
* בָּקַשׁ (`{{H1245}}`): To seek, search for, or desire, often implying a more active or intense seeking.
* תְּפִלָּה (`{{H8605}}`): The common Hebrew noun for "prayer," which is a form of petition to God.
* תַּחֲנוּן (`{{H8467}}`): "Supplication" or "pleading," often conveying a sense of earnest request based on need or mercy.
The concept of בָּעוּ is thus closely tied to prayer, supplication, and the act of turning to a higher power for aid, guidance, or protection.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of H1159 in [[Ezra 8:23]] carries profound theological weight. It highlights several key aspects of the biblical understanding of God and humanity's relationship with Him:
1. **Divine Accessibility and Responsiveness:** The fact that God "listened to our petition" (בָּעוּ) powerfully affirms His accessibility to His people and His willingness to hear and respond to their earnest cries. This demonstrates God's active involvement in the affairs of His covenant people.
2. **Human Dependence and Humility:** Ezra's decision to forgo royal protection and instead rely solely on God through fasting and petition underscores the theological principle of human dependence on divine providence. The act of making a בָּעוּ is an acknowledgment of one's limitations and a humble appeal to God's omnipotence and grace.
3. **Faith in Action:** The petition in [[Ezra 8:23]] is not a passive wish but an active demonstration of faith, accompanied by fasting and seeking God's face. It portrays a holistic approach to trust, where verbalized petition is coupled with spiritual discipline and confident expectation.
4. **God's Covenant Faithfulness:** God's favorable response to the petition reinforces His covenant faithfulness. He is presented as a God who honors the trust placed in Him and provides for His people according to His promises.
### Summary
H1159 (בָּעוּ - bâʻûw) is an Aramaic noun meaning "a request" or "a petition," derived from the verb `{{H1156}}` ("to seek, ask"). Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Ezra 8:23]] vividly illustrates the concept of humble and earnest supplication to God. In this context, Ezra and the returning exiles make a fervent בָּעוּ to God for protection, demonstrating their profound reliance on divine providence over human power. The verse's affirmation that God "listened to our petition" underscores the theological truths of God's accessibility, responsiveness, and faithfulness to those who sincerely seek Him. This word, though rare, encapsulates the essence of devout prayer and humanity's trust in a God who hears and acts.
TRV