### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **baʻar**, represented by `{{H1198}}`, describes a state of being **brutish**, **stupid**, or **foolish**. It appears **5 times** across **5 unique verses** in the Bible. The term signifies a lack of understanding and a rejection of wisdom, often comparing this state to the unthinking nature of an animal.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its scriptural usage, `{{H1198}}` consistently portrays a person who is spiritually ignorant and resistant to correction. One who hates reproof is described as **brutish** [[Proverbs 12:1]]. This state is characterized by an inability to know or understand divine matters [[Psalms 92:6]]. Ultimately, the fate of the **brutish person** is to perish alongside the fool, leaving their wealth behind for others [[Psalms 49:10]]. The term can also be used as an expression of profound humility, with one speaker describing himself as more **brutish** than any man and lacking human understanding [[Proverbs 30:2]]. This condition is explicitly likened to being an animal, as seen in the confession, "So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee" [[Psalms 73:22]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the concept of being brutish:
* `{{H3684}}` **kᵉçîyl** (fool): This word for a silly or stupid person is often used in parallel with `{{H1198}}`. Scripture notes that the **fool** and the **brutish person** share the same fate of perishing [[Psalms 49:10]] and that neither can understand spiritual truths [[Psalms 92:6]].
* `{{H3045}}` **yâdaʻ** (to know): This verb is a direct contrast to the state of being brutish. A **brutish** man is defined by what he does not **know** [[Psalms 92:6]], and the psalmist admits his foolishness was a state of being ignorant, or not knowing [[Psalms 73:22]].
* `{{H929}}` **bᵉhêmâh** (beast, cattle): This term is explicitly linked to `{{H1198}}` to illustrate the nature of brutishness. The psalmist equates his foolish and ignorant state to being like a **beast** before God [[Psalms 73:22]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H1198}}` serves as a significant warning.
* **Opposition to Wisdom:** To be brutish is to actively reject divine guidance. The one who "hateth reproof" is defined as **brutish**, placing them in direct opposition to the one who "loveth instruction" and "loveth knowledge" [[Proverbs 12:1]].
* **Lack of Spiritual Perception:** The term highlights a fundamental inability to comprehend God's ways. A **brutish** man simply cannot **know** or **understand** the works and thoughts of the Lord, a condition shared with the **fool** [[Psalms 92:6]].
* **Shared Fate with the Foolish:** The brutish person's end is inseparable from that of the wicked and foolish. Despite the universal reality that even **wise men** will **die**, the **brutish person** is specifically said to **perish**, leaving all material gain behind [[Psalms 49:10]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1198}}` is not merely an insult but a specific theological descriptor for a person who is willfully ignorant and rejects correction. It illustrates a condition that is less than human in its understanding, likening it to that of a beast. By contrasting this state with the love of knowledge and instruction, the Bible uses **baʻar** to underscore the critical importance of embracing wisdom and the dire consequences of refusing it.
TRV