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.
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.
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.
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.
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