### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H1164 (בְּעִי, bᵉʻîy) is a nominal form derived from the verbal root H1158 (בָּעָה, baʻah), which signifies "to seek," "to ask," "to pray," or "to crave." Etymologically, therefore, H1164 holds the primary sense of "a prayer" or "a request," representing the act or object of seeking from the divine or from another. However, the semantic range of H1164 extends, by implication, to "a grave" or "burial place." This secondary meaning, while seemingly disparate from "prayer," is understood by some lexicons (e.g., Strong's) as a place of "request" – perhaps a place where final requests are made, or where one is requested to be laid to rest, or even a place from which one might pray to be delivered. This dual nature highlights the dynamic evolution of language, where a word's meaning can broaden or shift based on contextual associations or metaphorical extensions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H1164 (בְּעִי) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in [[Ezekiel 32:27]]:
"And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living."
In this singular occurrence, H1164 is translated as "grave" (e.g., KJV, ESV, NASB, NIV) or "burial" (NRSV). The context is a lamentation over Pharaoh and Egypt, depicting their descent into Sheol, the realm of the dead. The passage describes the ignominious fate of the uncircumcised mighty warriors who, despite their earthly prowess and terror, are cast down into the pit. The word bᵉʻîy here refers specifically to their place of interment, a stark contrast to the honored burial of the valiant. It underscores their ultimate defeat and humiliation, as they do not even receive a proper, dignified burial among the circumcised warriors. The use of bᵉʻîy in this context emphasizes the finality and the desolate nature of their end, a physical space marking their exclusion from the covenant community and their judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and direct linguistic relation to H1164 is its root verb, H1158 (בָּעָה, baʻah), meaning "to seek," "to ask," or "to pray." This root is foundational to understanding the etymological origin of bᵉʻîy as "prayer."
In terms of its attested meaning as "grave" or "burial place," H1164 relates to several other Hebrew terms:
* H6913 (קֶבֶר, qever): This is the most common and general term for "grave" or "burial place" in the Old Testament, referring to a tomb, sepulchre, or burial site.
* H7585 (שְׁאוֹל, Sheol): While not a physical grave, Sheol is the general realm of the dead, the underworld. The bᵉʻîy in [[Ezekiel 32:27]] is the specific place within or leading to Sheol where these fallen warriors are laid.
* H1004 (בַּיִת, bayit): Sometimes used metaphorically for a "house" of the dead, as in "house of assembly" for the dead.
Conceptually, H1164 in [[Ezekiel 32:27]] is intimately linked to themes of death, judgment, divine wrath, the fate of the uncircumcised, and the stark reality of the afterlife for those outside of God's covenant. It speaks to the ultimate end of worldly power and pride.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of H1164 as "grave" in [[Ezekiel 32:27]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a grim testament to the judgment awaiting those who oppose God and His people, particularly the uncircumcised who stand outside the covenant. The "grave" (בְּעִי) here is not merely a place of physical interment but a symbol of spiritual defeat and eternal disgrace. These mighty warriors, who once inspired terror in the "land of the living," find their final resting place in a bᵉʻîy that offers no honor, no peace, and no hope. Their swords, once symbols of power, now lie uselessly beneath their heads, and their "iniquities shall be upon their bones," signifying the lasting consequence of their sin.
Theological implications include:
1. **Divine Judgment:** The bᵉʻîy represents the tangible outcome of God's judgment against the proud and ungodly.
2. **Contrast of Fates:** It highlights the stark contrast between the fate of the uncircumcised (ignominious burial) and the hope of those in covenant with God (who await resurrection).
3. **Finality of Death:** For the unrighteous, the bᵉʻîy signifies a finality marked by shame and the weight of their own transgressions.
While the etymological link to "prayer" is present, the biblical usage of H1164 in Ezekiel powerfully emphasizes the grim reality of the grave as a place of divine reckoning for the wicked, rather than a place of supplication.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H1164 (בְּעִי, bᵉʻîy) originates from a root meaning "to seek" or "to pray," suggesting an initial semantic range of "prayer" or "request." However, its sole appearance in the biblical text, in [[Ezekiel 32:27]], firmly establishes its contextual meaning as "grave" or "burial place." In this singular, potent usage, bᵉʻîy denotes the desolate and dishonorable resting place of the uncircumcised mighty, serving as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and the ultimate futility of earthly power without covenant faithfulness. Thus, while its etymology points to supplication, its biblical attestation underscores the somber reality of death and the grave as a place of finality for the unrighteous.
TRV