בָּצַע

bâtsaʻ /baw-tsah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root to break off, i.e. (usually) plunder
Meaningfiguratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop
KJV usage(be) covet(-ous), cut (off), finish, fulfill, gain (greedily), get, be given to (covetousness), greedy, perform, be wounded.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word bâtsaʻ, represented by H1214, is a primitive root with a dual sense of meaning, centered on the idea of breaking off. It appears 16 times across 16 unique verses. Its usage ranges from the violent act of plundering and gaining through greed to the conclusive act of finishing or fulfilling a task. It can also mean to cut off or be wounded.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical contexts, H1214 often carries a strong negative connotation related to greed. Prophets use it to condemn widespread corruption, where "every one is given H1214 to covetousness" Jeremiah 6:13. This act is met with a divine warning: "Woe H1945 to him that coveteth H1214 an evil covetousness" Habakkuk 2:9. Conversely, the word is used to describe the completion of God's sovereign will, as when the LORD "hath fulfilled H1214 his word" Lamentations 2:17 or when Zerubbabel's hands "shall also finish H1214" the temple Zechariah 4:9. The term can also convey a sense of personal or divine judgment, as in Job's plea for God to "cut me off H1214" Job 6:9 or the Lord's command to "cut H1214 them in the head" Amos 9:1.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meanings of H1214:

  • H1215 betsaʻ (plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)): This noun is derived directly from H1214 and often appears alongside it to specify the nature of the gain, such as "dishonest gain" Ezekiel 22:27 or "an evil covetousness" Habakkuk 2:9.
  • H1945 hôwy (woe): This exclamation of judgment is used to introduce the condemnation against one who "coveteth" H1214, highlighting the severe consequences of this specific sin Habakkuk 2:9.
  • H2026 hârag (to smite with deadly intent; slay): This word is paired with H1214 in the context of judgment, where God commands to first "cut H1214 them" and then to "slay H2026 the last of them," showing that the act of cutting off is part of a fatal decree Amos 9:1.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1214 is significant, highlighting both human sin and divine sovereignty.

  • Condemnation of Covetousness: The act of being "greedy H1214 of gain H1215" is shown to be self-destructive, as it "troubleth his own house" Proverbs 15:27. It is an action the Lord "abhorreth" H5006 Psalms 10:3 and is associated with forgetting God Ezekiel 22:12.
  • Fulfillment of Divine Purpose: The word is used to describe God bringing his plans to completion. The LORD "performed H1214 his whole work upon mount Zion" Isaiah 10:12 and "fulfilled H1214 his word" of judgment commanded long ago Lamentations 2:17.
  • Finality of Judgment: The sense of "cutting off" points to an irreversible end. This is seen in the destruction of the hypocrite who "hath gained H1214" only to have God take away his soul Job 27:8, and in the command to "cut" the people in judgment so that none escape Amos 9:1.

Summary

In summary, H1214 is a potent word that captures a spectrum from corrupt acquisition to divine finality. While appearing infrequently, its contexts are critical. It serves as a stark warning against the sin of unjust gain, which leads to destruction and is abhorred by God. At the same time, it describes the decisive power of God to "finish" or "fulfill" His sovereign work and execute His perfect judgment.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 17 occurrences, inflected in 10 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 6×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 2×
  • Piel Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Plural Feminine 1×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Singular Masculine Construct 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 11 books. Most frequent in Job (2 verses).

2
Job
1
Psalms
2
Proverbs
2
Isaiah
2
Jeremiah
1
Lamentations
2
Ezekiel
1
Joel
1
Amos
1
Habakkuk
1
Zechariah

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