from בַּעַר; brutish; Baara, an Israelitish woman; Baara.
Transliteration:Bâʻărâʼ
Pronunciation:bah-ar-aw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun בָּעֲרָא (Bâʻărâʼ), Strong's H1199, is derived from the root בַּעַר (baʻar), Strong's `{{H1197}}`. The base definition provided indicates a connection to the concept of "brutish" or "stupid." The root `{{H1197}}` itself possesses a dual semantic range: primarily "to burn, consume, kindle" (e.g., of fire consuming wood or anger burning) and secondarily "to be brutish, stupid, senseless, irrational." This latter meaning often describes a lack of understanding or discernment, akin to an animal lacking human reason (e.g., [[Psalm 49:10]], [[Psalm 73:22]]).
Therefore, the name Bâʻărâʼ likely carries the connotation of "brutishness" or "folly" by its etymological association. While proper names do not always perfectly reflect the character of the individual, their etymology often conveyed a hope, a description, or even a prophecy about the person or circumstances of their birth. In this case, the name's meaning points to a state of irrationality or lack of wisdom.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Bâʻărâʼ (Baara) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of 1 Chronicles:
* **[[1 Chronicles 8:8]]**: "And Shaharaim begat children in the country of Moab, after he had sent them away; Hushim and Baara were his wives."
This occurrence is within a genealogical list of the tribe of Benjamin. Shaharaim, a descendant of Benjamin, is noted to have had children with two wives, Hushim and Baara, after having previously sent away other wives in Moab. The text provides no further narrative details about Baara herself, her character, or her actions. Her mention is purely for the purpose of tracing lineage within the tribal records of Israel. The briefness of her mention and the lack of any descriptive narrative mean that any interpretation of her character based solely on her name's meaning would be speculative. However, the inclusion of a name with such a semantic root in a divinely inspired genealogy is noteworthy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to Bâʻărâʼ (`{{H1199}}`) is its root, בַּעַר (baʻar), Strong's `{{H1197}}`. This verb is foundational to understanding the name's etymology. As noted, `{{H1197}}` can mean:
1. **To burn, consume, kindle:** This sense is used for fire (e.g., [[Exodus 3:2]], [[Numbers 11:3]]), anger (e.g., [[Psalm 39:3]]), or destruction.
2. **To be brutish, stupid, senseless:** This sense often describes a lack of understanding or discernment, particularly in contrast to divine wisdom. For example, [[Psalm 49:10]] states that "the wise die, likewise the fool and the brutish person (בַּעַר) perish." Similarly, [[Psalm 73:22]] confesses, "So foolish was I and ignorant (בַּעַר); I was as a beast before You."
Another related noun derived from the same root is בַּעַר (beʻer), Strong's `{{H1198}}`, meaning "brutishness" or "stupidity." This noun directly expresses the abstract quality implied by the verb's secondary meaning.
The conceptual field surrounding these words includes:
* **Folly (אֱוִיל - `{{H200}}`):** A common biblical theme contrasting human foolishness with divine wisdom.
* **Ignorance (לֹא יָדַע - `{{H3045}}`):** A state of not knowing or understanding.
* **Lack of Discernment (בִּין - `{{H995}}`):** The inability to distinguish truth from error or right from wrong.
The name Baara thus sits within a semantic network that emphasizes a lack of rational thought or spiritual understanding, often presented as a negative quality in biblical wisdom literature.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of a proper noun that appears only once in a genealogy, with no accompanying narrative, is primarily tied to the meaning of the name itself. While we cannot infer anything about Baara's personal character or spiritual standing, the name "Baara" (meaning "brutish" or related to "folly") within the lineage of Israel prompts reflection.
1. **Human Frailty and Imperfection:** The inclusion of a name with such a meaning within God's chosen people's lineage serves as a subtle reminder of the pervasive nature of human folly and imperfection, even among those connected to the covenant. It underscores that God's plan unfolds through fallible human beings.
2. **Contrast with Divine Wisdom:** The name's etymological link to "brutishness" stands in stark contrast to the biblical emphasis on wisdom (חָכְמָה - `{{H2451}}`) as a divine attribute and a virtue to be sought (e.g., in Proverbs). It may serve as a quiet counterpoint, highlighting the need for divine instruction to overcome human irrationality.
3. **God's Sovereignty in Genealogy:** Despite potentially unflattering names or challenging circumstances (like Shaharaim sending away wives), God's sovereign hand guides the genealogies that lead to the fulfillment of His promises, ultimately culminating in the Messiah. The names themselves, whatever their meaning, are part of the divinely preserved record.
4. **Descriptive vs. Prescriptive:** The name might have been descriptive of a characteristic of the individual or the circumstances of her birth, rather than prescriptive of a theological truth for all time. However, its inclusion in the sacred text allows for a contemplation of the spectrum of human experience within the divine narrative.
### Summary
Bâʻărâʼ (`{{H1199}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, the name of an Israelitish woman mentioned solely in the genealogy of Benjamin in [[1 Chronicles 8:8]]. Its etymology traces to the root בַּעַר (baʻar, `{{H1197}}`), which carries the primary meaning "to burn, consume" and a secondary, significant meaning "to be brutish, stupid, or senseless." This suggests the name Baara itself means or implies "brutishness" or "folly." While her single occurrence in a genealogical list offers no narrative insight into her character, the name's meaning serves as a subtle reminder of human imperfection and folly within the biblical narrative. It highlights the contrast between human irrationality and divine wisdom, and underscores God's sovereign work through diverse individuals within the lineage of His people.
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